Business Details
27 Years
experience
Your Trusted Philanthropy Consultants in Minneapolis
Family Philanthropy Advisors is a dedicated consultancy that empowers foundations and philanthropists to maximize their impact. With over 80 years of combined experience in foundation management, strategic grantmaking, and program development, our team provides comprehensive services tailored to each client's unique vision. We specialize in mission development, governance training, grants management, and compliance, allowing clients to focus on the transformative aspects of philanthropy. Our approach is deeply personalized, combining strategic insight with operational expertise to streamline processes and enhance decision-making.Founded in 1999, we have supported both emerging and established foundations in navigating complex philanthropic landscapes. Our commitment to innovation extends to designing initiatives that drive systemic change through advocacy, research, and collaboration. Clients benefit from our meticulous attention to detail, transparent communication, and passion for creating a better world through purposeful giving. We pride ourselves on being not just service providers, but trusted partners in our clients' journeys to leave lasting legacies.
Services
Foundation Start-up
Board Support
Grants Management
Compliance
Program Management
Governance Training
Strategic Planning
Communications
Initiative Development
Details
- Year established: 1999
Highlights and features
- We offer 80+ years of combined experience in foundation management and strategic grantmaking.
- Our services are customized to align with each client's unique philanthropic vision.
- We specialize in developing strategic initiatives that create systemic social change.
- Our team meets clients where they are, from foundation start-up to legacy planning.
- We combine operational expertise with passionate commitment to philanthropic impact.
What people say
Creative stewardship
Expert knowledge
Professional compliance
Dynamic leadership
Mission-driven support
Services
Foundation Start-up
We guide clients through establishing new foundations with comprehensive support from mission development to operational launch. Our team assists with governance structure, policy creation, and regulatory compliance while providing strategic counsel on grantmaking priorities. With decades of experience, we help philanthropists create sustainable frameworks that align with their values and maximize community impact through purposeful giving strategies.
Grants Management
Our grants management service streamlines the complete grantmaking lifecycle from proposal review to final reporting. We handle application processes, due diligence evaluations, and grant disbursements while maintaining rigorous compliance standards. By managing administrative burdens, we enable foundations to focus on strategic decision-making while ensuring grantees receive timely, professional support throughout the funding process.
Governance Training
We provide specialized governance training to enhance board effectiveness and strategic capacity. Our services include policy development, leadership workshops, and succession planning tailored to foundation needs. Through customized training programs, we help boards strengthen their governance practices, improve decision-making processes, and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements while advancing organizational missions.
Strategic Planning
Our strategic planning service helps foundations develop actionable roadmaps for achieving long-term impact. We facilitate visioning sessions, conduct field research, and create implementation plans that align with organizational values. By combining market insights with operational expertise, we enable philanthropists to design cohesive strategies that maximize resources and create measurable social change through targeted initiatives.
Compliance
We ensure foundations maintain full compliance with complex regulatory requirements through comprehensive compliance management. Our services include state registration filings, IRS reporting preparation, and policy documentation updates. By staying current with evolving regulations, we protect foundations' legal standing while allowing donors to focus on their philanthropic goals without administrative burdens or compliance risks.
People
Teresa Bonner
Principal
Teresa brings 30+ years of philanthropy experience, including leadership roles at U.S. Bancorp Foundation and Piper Jaffray Foundation. Her legal background enhances strategic counsel for foundations navigating complex governance issues.
Ellen George
Principal
Ellen has 25+ years of philanthropy expertise, specializing in wealth management integration. She co-founded FPA in 1999 and excels at helping families implement meaningful philanthropic strategies that create lasting impact.
Sarah Drebelbis
Communications and Event Coordinator
Sarah joined FPA in 2019 with arts administration experience. She manages communications initiatives and events while leveraging her background in nonprofit program management and fundraising operations.
Lindsay Lewis
Program Officer
Lindsay has arts nonprofit leadership experience and manages program initiatives. Her cognitive science background informs strategic approaches to philanthropic impact assessment and program evaluation.
Suzanne Paki
Program Associate and Grants Manager
Suzanne has 15+ years of grants management expertise, including international policy experience at the New Zealand Embassy. She oversees grants operations with meticulous attention to compliance and administrative excellence.
Questions
What types of foundations do you work with?
We serve both new and established foundations of all sizes, including family foundations, corporate philanthropy programs, and private grantmaking organizations across various sectors.
How do you customize services for different clients?
We conduct comprehensive needs assessments and create tailored service plans based on each foundation's mission, governance structure, grantmaking focus, and operational requirements.
What geographic areas do you serve?
While based in Minneapolis, we work with foundations nationwide and internationally, supporting philanthropists creating impact locally, regionally, or globally.
How are your services priced?
We establish annual fees based on service scope, grantmaking volume, board complexity, and administrative requirements. Each proposal is customized to match the client's specific needs.
Can you help with starting a new foundation?
Yes, we provide complete foundation start-up services including mission development, governance structure, policy creation, and regulatory compliance for new philanthropic ventures.
