Our services for Family Foundations.
Your private family foundation embodies your family's values, legacy, and commitment to making a lasting difference. Whether you're establishing a foundation, managing an existing one, or navigating compliance and strategic decisions, Epic Philanthropy provides the specialized expertise to maximize your impact while honoring your vision.
We offer comprehensive support from foundation formation to succession planning, tailored to your family's unique goals. Our services help you navigate IRS regulations, optimize your giving strategy, and engage family members across generations.
The Epic difference.
We work alongside you as a trusted partner, listening and asking questions to help clarify your vision and create a strategic roadmap. Every family foundation is unique, so we tailor our approach to your specific goals, values, and dynamics.
Whether establishing a new foundation or optimizing an existing one, we provide expert guidance that respects your vision while ensuring excellence in operations. We handle the technical details so you can focus on creating meaningful change in the causes you care about.
Strategic Guidance for Family Foundations
Family foundations need more than transaction processing - you need a trusted advisor who understands both the technical requirements and the relational dynamics of family philanthropy. We help you create governance structures, refine your grantmaking strategy, and navigate the complexities of multi-generational giving.
Get clarity on next steps
For foundations that need an outside perspective on where they are and where they're headed—whether you're newly established, experiencing growing pains, or simply want to ensure you're on the right track.
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How we work together:
We start with a comprehensive look at your foundation's operations—governance structure, grantmaking approach, compliance practices, and financial management. Through document review, stakeholder conversations, and a half-day strategic consultation with your board leadership, we'll identify what's working well and where opportunities exist. You'll receive a detailed roadmap report with prioritized recommendations tailored to your foundation's size, complexity, and goals, plus 90 days of email support as you begin implementing changes.Timeline: 4-6 week engagement with 90-day follow-up support
Investment customized based on foundation complexity. Starting at $8,000.
Best for: Foundations seeking clarity on operational strengths, gaps, and priorities before committing to ongoing partnership.
Strategic guidance at the level you need
We offer different levels of quarterly engagement depending on whether you need advisory support or comprehensive partnership.
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Strategic guidance when you need it
Who it's for:
Foundations that run smoothly on a day-to-day basis but value having a strategic advisor available for regular consultation, second opinions, and guidance on emerging issues.How we work together:
Four times per year, we'll meet for 90-minute strategic advisory sessions focused on whatever matters most to you at that moment—upcoming board decisions, grantmaking strategy questions, compliance concerns, family governance dynamics, or succession planning. Before each session, we review any materials you send and come prepared with research or recommendations. After each conversation, you'll receive written follow-up with specific guidance. Between sessions, we're available via email for time-sensitive questions that can't wait until your next scheduled call.Timeline: Year-long relationship with quarterly touchpoints
Investment customized based on foundation complexity.
Best for: Foundations with strong operations who want ongoing expert guidance without comprehensive partnership or hands-on support.
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Build systems with hands-on guidance
Who it's for:
Foundations ready to move beyond ad-hoc decision-making and build professional systems for governance, grantmaking, and compliance—with a strategic partner who provides hands-on guidance while you maintain control of implementation.How we work together:
We meet quarterly for strategic planning sessions where we set priorities, make key decisions, and chart your course for the months ahead. Throughout the year, we work alongside you to develop your annual grantmaking strategy, prepare materials for board meetings, create custom policies that reflect your values, and ensure compliance requirements stay on track with a personalized calendar and Form 990-PF preparation support. We help you think through succession planning and family engagement approaches that honor your legacy while preparing for transitions. When grant applications need review or you're conducting due diligence, we're there to provide guidance. Between our scheduled sessions, you have priority access via email and phone when questions arise or decisions need a sounding board.Timeline: 12-month partnership (renews annually)
Investment customized based on foundation complexity, grantmaking volume, and board size
Best for: Foundations ready to implement professional systems and establish repeatable processes with strategic guidance and partnership support.
We handle the details
For foundations without dedicated staff where board members want to focus on philanthropic vision and impact rather than administrative operations—you need someone to manage the details so you can concentrate on what matters most.
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How we work together:
We become your foundation's operational backbone. Every month, we meet for strategic advisory calls to plan ahead and work through decisions. We manage your entire board meeting process—from scheduling and agenda development to materials preparation, minute-taking, and follow-up coordination. Your grantmaking program runs through us: we process applications, conduct due diligence, coordinate site visits when needed, manage payment processing, and track reporting requirements. Compliance becomes our responsibility—we prepare your Form 990-PF, coordinate filing, monitor expenditure responsibility, update policies as regulations change, and maintain your compliance calendar. We develop your budget and monitor progress against grantmaking goals throughout the year. When you need coordination with your attorneys, accountants, or investment advisors, we handle that communication. We can facilitate family engagement programming, from next-generation education to family retreat planning and legacy documentation. And when crisis situations or special projects arise, we're your dedicated point of contact with same-day response to urgent matters.Timeline: Multi-year partnership (minimum 2-year commitment)
Fully customized based on foundation size, grantmaking volume, and operational complexity.
Best for: Foundations seeking comprehensive operational support to maximize impact while minimizing administrative burden on board members.
Available as add-ons or standalone projects
Beyond our core partnerships, we offer focused project-based support for specific foundation needs.
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Design focused funding initiatives, develop evaluation frameworks, and create application systems that align with your mission
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Measure grantmaking effectiveness and create compelling impact reports for your board, family members, and stakeholders
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Identify and build relationships with community foundations and funding collaboratives to amplify your impact
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Develop next-generation philanthropy education programs and facilitate family meetings that navigate complex dynamics
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Establish new private foundations including legal structure guidance, governance design, and operational setup
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Redesign board structure, update bylaws, clarify decision-making processes, and address governance challenges
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Plan and execute strategic foundation closure or conversion to other philanthropic vehicles