Trust-Based Blog
Reimagining philanthropy begins with learning out loud.
By sharing ideas, with curiosity and humility, the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project blog features trust-based grantmakers who talk about their own lessons, questions, and aha moments along their power-sharing journeys.
Showing Up and Sharing Power
The leadership at the Durfee Foundation in Los Angeeles wanted to break down the traditional barriers between foundation trustees and nonprofit partners and deepen relationships through trust-based conversations. Learn more about how they did it and what they learned.
Let’s Talk About Trust ... And Racism
“We need to be conscious about where our trust (and distrust) are coming from, or we will distribute the benefits of this work inequitably.” -Liz Dozier
Let’s Admit Our Mistakes (And Learn From Them)
“There are pitfalls on this journey. The most important thing is to keep learning, document, and incorporate the lesson for the next time.” -Raymael Blackwell
Trust-Based Philanthropy as a Movement Building Strategy
“Achieving our goal is not possible without the organizations on the ground, so we believe supporting their capacity is part of building the movement.” -Farrah Parkes
Let the People Lead, and the Real Work Gets Done
“Our best grantmaking has happened not because of a strategy developed internally, but because we operate as a site of shifted power to begin with.” -Jenn Ching
We’re About Building Relationships, Not Creating Barriers
“We started out by thinking about how everything we did should focus on building relationships rooted in trust.” -Ashley Clark
Our Sector Has an Imperative to Repair Harm
“Philanthropy’s imperative for transformation requires us to repair the harm we have caused as a sector.” -Gabriela Alcalde
Onboarding the Loyal Skeptic(s) on My Board
“As we became more public about trust-based philanthropy, our board raised critical questions that made me wonder if they were fully bought in.” -Pia Infante
Shifting From a Culture of Exclusivity to Inclusivity
“Even though we’re at the beginning of our trust-based journey, I can already feel a wide sense of possibility.” -Beth Collins
Trustees: Are You Building Trust or Are You Thwarting It?
“Until we address governance within philanthropy and try or demand that trust-based approaches be part of governance, philanthropy cannot change.” -Anonymous Storyteller
Trust in Practice: Shifting Our Stance on Leadership Transitions
As funders, we have the opportunity to help create the conditions needed for the next generation of leaders to thrive. When we normalize transitions as part of healthy organizational change, trust incoming leaders, and provide support, we give a clear runway to the incoming executive director to realize their full vision.
Baby Steps: A Community Foundation’s Transformation
“When we move in a different way that honors their time, experience and capacities, our grantee partners see new possibilities in our work together.” -Heather Peeler
Let’s Invest in Fullness, Vibrance, and Joy
“I want funders to start investing in efforts that aren’t just about systems change, but about quality of life.” -Pamela Ross
Not Your Typical Family Foundation
“Our affinity with our grantee partners, with different histories but similar experiences of injustice, has made building trust more possible.” -A. Sparks
The Power of Giving Up Power
“When I gave up some of my own personal power, we became a more powerful organization.” -John Esterle
In an Ecosystem of Trust, the Possibilities Are Endless
“Ecosystems of trust form a strong network that allow us to move nimbly and make impact happen when it’s needed.” -Philip Li
We Journey with Partners to Listen and Learn
“Just like we had to reexamine our grantmaking to build trust, we also had to reimagine our learning and evaluation to find more authentic and meaningful ways of articulating change.” -Corey Oser
The Easiest Way to Shift Practice is to Lean on Values
“Shouldn’t we trust the people doing the work to know how to get us there? Why are we the ones deciding which issues are most important?” -Dimple Abichandani
The Joy of Co-Learning and Mutual Accountability
“Satisfaction has never been higher on our program team. With more access to connection, value, and depth, we are more rewarded in our work than ever.” -Brittney Gaspari
Building Trust Means Getting Uncomfortable
“No matter how trust-based you think your foundation is, it's something you consistently have to revisit.” -Brenda Solorzano