The National Center for Family Philanthropy was founded to encourage families and individuals as they establish and maintain their charitable organizations. A national organization, the Center focuses solely on matters of interest to families engaged in philanthropy.

When the Center began in 1997, the need for a publication that would provide a concise but accessible guide to resources for family foundations became apparent to the staff of the Center. The National Center Journal was started to provide such a resource for families and individuals involved in their family's philanthropy as well as to improve understanding of the needs of donors, their families, and advisers.

The Journal was designed to identify topics of special importance in the field of philanthropy, collect essays from the most qualified people available, and present them in an accessible format. It is aimed primarily at directors and trustees of family foundations.

The volumes of the Journal are issued irregularly. Four volumes have been published since its inception in 1999. The topics addressed include:

Volume 1: Resources for Family Philanthropy: Finding the Best People, Advice and Support (1999) —— The information in Volume 1 is intended to provide donors with expert opinions and resources on governing and managing their philanthropy. It looks at resources from within and from outside the family in five categories: management, consultants, legal counsel, and investment advisers, institutions in organized philanthropy, and published and online resources. It includes numerous appendices with sample forms, examples of policy papers, and other useful documents.

Volume 2: Investment Issues for Family Funds: Managing and Maximizing Your Philanthropy Dollars (1999) ——— This issue was developed as a guide for families and individuals who are developing the investment policies and practices for their family's charitable giving. It looks specifically at the impact that family involvement has on the foundation's investment policies and procedures. In addition to essays on topics such as perpetuity and spending policy, it also includes a glossary of investment terms.

Volume 3: Living the Legacy: The Values of A Family's Philanthropy Across Generations (2001) ——— Volume 3 combines essays on donor legacy with individual foundation histories. Legacy, as described in these essays, is "lived" as well as "left." This Journal uses examples and stories to describe a variety of real-life legacies of family foundations across several generations. The value of discussing the legacy of one's family foundation is stressed, and techniques and suggestions are provided to help develop such a legacy. The appendix includes a bibliography of foundation histories.

Volume 4: Faith and Family Philanthropy: Grace, Gratitude, and Generosity (2001) ——— This newest issue looks at how families of faith approach their philanthropy. It explores how faith motivates families and how faith provides direction in charitable giving. Essays include case studies based on the experiences of families of different faiths. A resource list in the appendix lists nonprofit organizations available to guide families of faith in their giving.

The volumes of the National Center Journal, as well as other excellent publications by the National Center, provide information and resources for family foundations in a very readable format. The essays provide insights directly from donor to donor ——— putting philanthropic families in touch with one another.