The Foundation Center, in collaboration with the Council on Foundations and with assistance from the Association of Small Foundations, launched a study of family foundations in 2008, collecting survey responses from 1,074 family foundations.
The report, Perpetuity or Limited Lifespan: How do Family Foundations Decide?, presents findings from the study, and examines the impact of foundation characteristics (size, age, staffing, and location) on lifespan planning.
In addition to core findings, the report’s sidebars address related topics:
“What impact will the current economic crisis have on foundation lifespan planning?”
“How do 2004 survey findings on lifespan planning options compare with 2008 survey findings?”
“To what extent do family foundation charters specify perpetuity or limited lifespan?”
Survey respondents also comment on perceived advantages and disadvantages of perpetuity and spending down.
Download the full report and view the survey questions.
Related Resources:
Limited Life Foundations: Motivations, Experiences and Strategies (Urban Institute)
Beyond Five Percent: The New Foundation Payout Menu (Northern California Grantmakers)