Trust in Action: What Our Partners Taught Us About What Matters
Photo credit: Global Fund for Children Asia
Two years ago, Global Fund for Children (GFC) launched a groundbreaking study to understand our impact in the world as a grantmaking organization committed to trust-based philanthropy. The work concluded earlier this year, and our findings are now shared in the Global Impact Study.
The study affirmed something we've believed for years: trust isn't just a nice-to-have in philanthropy—it's the foundation that makes everything else possible.
The Power of Being Trusted
We knew we wanted the study to align with our values and approach, so we partnered with Ecorys, a global consultancy that helped create a participatory design. In addition to other streams of inquiry, Ecorys trained 31 people from our partner organizations in Guatemala, India, Kenya, and the UK to become co-researchers to listen deeply to our partners and help us understand what's really happening on the ground.
All of the partners who were interviewed shared that they felt trusted, supported, and respected in their relationship with GFC. But what struck me most was how many described us as an extension of their own organization—colleagues tackling problems together, rather than a distant funder calling the shots.
Here's what really matters: 86% of researched partners said this trusting relationship helped them make their own decisions and determine their own vision. They weren't spending energy trying to fit into our priorities or second-guessing what we wanted to hear. They were focused on what their communities actually needed.
The impact of this relational approach looked different for our partners. One leader shared how transformative it was having this relationship and type of support at their earliest stage. For others, even when our funding was relatively small compared to their overall budget, they emphasized how unique and meaningful our approach felt compared to other funders.
Flexible Funding Changes Everything
Photo credit: Global Fund for Children
We weren’t surprised that nearly all of our partners—94%—told us that flexible, unrestricted funding had positively impacted their work. But what the flexibility led to was illuminating.
With flexible funding, partners could respond to what communities were telling them, rather than being locked into rigid program requirements. Partners used flexible funding to invest in their own staff, purchase necessary equipment, bring in specialized expertise, and take time to think strategically about how to evolve in these rapidly changing times. For smaller and women- or youth-led organizations especially, this funding helped them not just survive, but thrive. As one partner put it, unrestricted funding allowed them to do "holistic and long-term work with children, young people, and communities, filling in the gaps that other, more rigid, funding didn't cover."
The Ripple Effect in Communities
Photo credit: Global Fund for Children
Another thing the study made clear is that when organizations feel trusted and supported,they pass it on. After experiencing trust-based approaches, our partners told us they began modeling it with their own staff and communities. They shifted toward more collaborative ways of working. The results of these practice shifts can be seen and felt in communities, including improved access to quality education for disadvantaged children, reduced gender-based violence, shifting attitudes around practices like female genital cutting and child marriage, and communities taking ownership of tackling systemic issues themselves.
Young people developed confidence, leadership skills, and awareness of their rights. Parents became more involved in their children's education and wellbeing. And yes—children told us they felt happy, excited, and motivated.
Continuing to Listen and Adapt
Photo credit: Global Fund for Chidlren
Our partners also shared honest feedback about where we can improve. Many wished for longer funding periods and clearer communication about funding timelines. Some wanted more tailored support and better information about all the resources available to them.
We're taking this seriously—because trust-based philanthropy isn't about getting it perfect. It's about staying in real relationship, listening, learning, and adapting together.
This study reinforced what we've long suspected: when we trust partners as those who know their communities best while acting as a critical friend and when we provide flexible resources and build genuine relationships, the impact radiates outward in ways we could never dictate. That's the kind of change worth investing in.
To learn more about GFC's Global Impact Study and explore the full findings, visit globalfundforchildren.org. The study was made possible by flexible, core funding to GFC from MacKenzie Scott.
Corey Oser is Vice President of Programs at Global Fund for Children