How can philanthropy redistribute power?
It’s time to address power and build equity in philanthropy.
As grantmakers, we have a responsibility to confront the ways our sector has contributed to systemic inequities, both in the ways wealth is accumulated and in the ways its dissemination is controlled. This history is entrenched in racism, patriarchy, and other forms of oppression, which are at the root of every social issue nonprofits seek to address. As funders, we must recognize how these norms have shaped, informed, and influenced our entire sector—including who is deemed trustworthy, and who is not.
The Trust-Based Philanthropy Project is a five-year, peer-to-peer funder initiative to address the inherent power imbalances between foundations and nonprofits. At its core, trust-based philanthropy is rooted in a set of values that help advance equity, shift power, and build mutually accountable relationships. No matter where a foundation starts its trust-based journey, to fully embody this approach grantmakers rely on trust-based values to guide four key dimensions of their organization’s work: culture, structures, leadership, and practices.
About the Trust-Based Philanthropy in 4D Guide: This guide is intended for grantmaking practitioners who are ready to clarify and live into their values in order to cultivate a holistic approach to trust-based philanthropy. It can be used as a discussion and reflection tool to bolster your strategic planning, self-evaluations, and staff and board conversations.
6 Practices of Trust-Based Grantmaking
For many funders, the six grantmaking practices are a tangible way to start putting trust-based values into action. While a truly trust-based approach encompasses four key dimensions, the six practices guide shares insights and practical recommendations on how to implement trust-based grantmaking practices.
Give Multi-Year, Unrestricted Funding
Long-term flexible funding allows organizations to allocate resources where they are most needed, making room for innovation, emergence, and impact.
Do the Homework
It is the funder's responsibility to get to know the issues and organizations in their funding landscape, saving nonprofits time in the early stages of the vetting process.
Simplify & Streamline Paperwork
Nonprofits spend an inordinate amount of time on reports and applications. A more relational approach saves time and helps funders gain a deeper understanding of the work.
Be Transparent & Responsive
When funders model transparency, power awareness, and vulnerability, it helps build relationships rooted in trust and mutual accountability.
Solicit & Act on Feedback
A foundation’s work will be inherently more successful if it is informed by the expertise and experience of grantee partners and communities.
Offer Support Beyond the Check
Funders have more to offer than dollars alone. Responsive, adaptive, non-monetary support bolsters leadership, capacity, and organizational health.
Explore Our Resource Library
From a trust-based story map to templates and how-to’s, we curate and build tools and resources to engage grantmakers around ways to embody a trust-based approach.
Visit our Trust-Based Story Map
The Trust-Based Blog
Our blog is a place for reimagining philanthropy, and our role in it. Hear grantmaking practitioners share their lessons, questions, and aha-moments along their power-shifting journeys.
Join Us for an Upcoming Event
We regularly host webinars and speak at philanthropic gatherings to share key insights and offer practical steps for getting started. Join us for an upcoming event!
