Family Philanthropy
The inspirational guide for philanthropic families
on their giving journey
Master the art of giving with the Family Philanthropy NavigatorIMD publishes inspirational guide for aspiring and experienced philanthropists on #givingtuesday.
How can more people help to solve today’s challenges? How can we mobilize resources and build partnerships to create a better future? How do we ensure our giving is effective?
The “Family Philanthropy Navigator”, a two-year project conducted jointly by Etienne Eichenberger, Peter Vogel and Malgorzata Kurak, seeks to answer these questions, thanks to decades of experience working with philanthropists in Switzerland and abroad. Based on real-world case studies, practical tools and hands-on advice, the Navigator is designed to help individuals and families make a positive, lasting impact.
From the question of why you want to give and what causes you support to understanding partners and resource management, the book is a comprehensive guide to an enriching and successful adventure in philanthropy !
Discover the presentation of the book by the three authors.
Transforming the world of giving: The family Philanthropy Navigator
Watch the relive of the webinar launch event and get top tips from our three co-authors for becoming an effective philanthropist.
The Family Business Podcast
On this episode Russ Haworth from the family business podcast present our book, joined by Peter Vogel, Professor, Director of the Global Family Business Centre at IMD Business School in Switzerland and the co-author of the book The Family Philanthropy Navigator.
The Family Business PodcastPhilanthropy takes centre stage with new book by Family Capital, 8th December 2020
famcap.comThe Family Philanthropy Navigator is a truly unique and engaging book. It is a definite must read for all family members of aspiring or established philanthropic families. It provides practical, easy to use and insightful tools that can be immediately implemented in your family’s philanthropic activities.
The Family Philanthropy Navigator is the breakthrough book of its domain. It’s a must-read practical guide for families on their giving journey and an indispensable reference book for professionals in the domain.
This is much more than a book: it is a practical and user-friendly tool – a Must for all family philanthropists! The Navigator will guide you step-by-step in your philanthropic journey, helping you to be more strategic, more impactful and to bring along other family members in a playful way, for the love of humanity.
New realities bring new complexities that require new solutions. This book is a wonderful tool that helps families find a way to use their traditions and values to address today’s global challenges through impactful philanthropy.
Business family owners have engaged in philanthropy with great enthusiasm and commitment over the years. Now, thanks to this timely book, they can count on a great tool to systematically and effectively respond to a growing need of non-profit support in society. This book is a practical and easy to use guide based on robust research which will allow you to gain the confidence you need to thoughtfully contribute to making the world a better place.
At this very difficult time, the world needs more philanthropists that are committed to achieve positive change and long-lasting impact. The Family Philanthropy Navigator is a great tool for anyone who wants to ensure effective, impactful and meaningful giving.
An illuminating take on how enterprising families can approach philanthropy to build impactful initiatives, along with business effectiveness and family cohesion. Activities and case studies provide a practical and fresh blueprint for any family thinking through their philanthropic strategy.
The Family Philanthropy Navigator is more than an inspiring and practical guidebook—although it is that for sure. This innovative book cleverly instigates a transformative process for families, a process that will clarify your philanthropic purpose as a family and help you build consensus around your goals and plans. This book is a gift.
Family philanthropy has never looked so fun! Great ideas for the whole family to spend time on motives and values. A refreshing approach to the serious topic of giving.
The family philanthropy journey can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. The Family Philanthropy Navigator and its fun, hands-on activities provide practical tools any family can apply to their philanthropy effort.
Family philanthropy can be a key driving force for a more purpose-driven, sustainable, and equitable world. This book is an excellent, to-the-point guide to navigate this important area. Highly recommended!
Etienne Eichenberger
Managing Partner, WISE philanthropy advisors

Etienne Eichenberger
Managing Partner, WISE philanthropy advisors
Etienne Eichenberger is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of WISE philanthropy advisors. He serves on the Advisory Board for the Debiopharm Chair for Family Philanthropy at IMD.
“My wish is that this book will be an invitation to have meaningful conversations within families so that everyone can be empowered to give more, better and smarter.”
My experience as co-founder of WISE philanthropy advisors has shown me that, when well organized, philanthropy can play its part in building innovative and sustainable solutions for local or global challenges. But giving can also become an incredibly rewarding journey for families to engage across generation.”
I also experience that philanthropy is often an inner journey before it becomes a structured process, as the Family Philanthropy Navigator is intended to be for you. The navigator is not about promoting one-size-fits-all but eight important questions for you to address.
Malgorzata Kurak
Research Fellow at IMD

Malgorzata Kurak
Research Fellow at IMD
My contribution to the field of family philanthropy comes through my research at the Debiopharm Chair for Family Philanthropy, through which I’ve had the pleasure to meet so many good-hearted (business) people who have generously shared their philanthropic stories with us – their successes, but also their failures. We are greatly indebted to all of these enterprising families who have participated in our research project, for supporting us, but also for their courage in doing good where it is most needed. Their support and feedback while developing the navigator has shown us that this tool is truly needed, now more than ever.
Giving means opening one’s heart to others. My sincere hope is that the navigator will ignite philanthropy in each of us, and in each of our families.
Peter Vogel
Professor of Family Business and Entrepreneurship and holder of the Debiopharm Chair of Family Philanthropy

Peter Vogel
Professor of Family Business and Entrepreneurship and holder of the Debiopharm Chair of Family Philanthropy
The mission of the Debiopharm Chair for Family Philanthropy at IMD is to help aspiring and established philanthropic families start or improve their giving – in a way that is structured, organized, efficient and effective as an integral part of their family enterprise system.
My hope is that this book will challenge, educate and inspire families in their philanthropic activities – whether you are new to giving or have decades of experience. In our workshops, while developing the Family Philanthropy Navigator, for example, I have been delighted to see well-established philanthropists finding fresh insight from, and enjoyment in, the toolkit.
Ultimately, I want to see the navigator taking on a life of its own as a tool that families all over the world can find value in as they seek to make a real difference through their giving.
