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Philanthropy, Power, & Systems Transformation: A Virtual Learning Community

This virtual interactive program is hosted by the Social Impact Exchange and is free and open to the public. Registration is required.

There is an inherent power imbalance in the system of philanthropy. On one side, there is the donor who has control over the resources and makes the decisions about how they are disbursed and to whom. On the other side is the grantee attempting to meet the donor’s requirements in order to secure much-needed funding. And many of these dynamics get further exacerbated through grantmaking practices of many foundations, as well as their culture, structures, and leadership

The Social Impact Exchange recently did an analysis of the forces driving the philanthropic system in the United States that identified several ways in which existing power imbalances prevent effective grantmaking and results that support equity.  These include: 

  • Financial incentives that encourage those who manage the money to limit its distribution into communities;

  • Desire among funders to demonstrate tangible results in short periods of time

  • A mindset that funders know better than those in communities how to address complex challenges

  • Insufficient investment in community-defined strategies that help communities regenerate their own health and well-being      

None of this is news to anyone who has been involved on either side of the grantmaking equation, certainly not grantseekers. In recent years funders and nonprofits concerned about these negative dynamics have launched new approaches to reverse the imbalance of power. One approach that has gained increasing attention and popularity over the past three years is trust-based philanthropy (TBP), which seeks to redistribute power to promote a healthier and more equitable philanthropic approach, as well as the greater nonprofit sector. 

The TBP model includes a set of core grantmaking practices – including multi-year unrestricted giving and streamlined applications and reporting – as well as an intentional focus on equity and power-consciousness across organizational culture, structures, and leadership.

In this session we will review the key dynamics in the system of philanthropy that drive power imbalances and funding perpetuates inequity and we will look at TBP as a model for addressing these problematic dynamics.  Social Impact Exchange (SIE) will share some thoughts about where power imbalances show up in the system and talk about the connection between power, philanthropy, and the potential for systems transformation.  We will hear from staff of the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project who will share the model and discuss what they have learned about its potential to shift the balance of power in philanthropy and the sector more widely.  Funders who have applied this model will share their experiences, and there will be time for audience members to consider how the TBP model might be a catalyst for more equitable grantmaking in their own practice. 

Speakers

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December 1

Truths and Misconceptions Behind Trust-Based Philanthropy
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January 18

Trust-Based Philanthropy With A Racial Equity Lens Cohort: Workshop Session Two