Making the Case for Trust-Based Philanthropy: Part 1 & 2
This two-part webinar series was hosted in partnership with Orange County Grantmakers. In it, we address common misperceptions and examples from other grantmakers in the field who have brought these ideas and approaches into their organizations, despite not being in decision-making roles. The series also offers concrete steps you can take to apply these concepts within the context of your grantmaking organization.
Session #1: Grantmaking Practices
Hosted on June 22, 2022.
Overview:
Rooted in the values of advancing equity, shifting power, and building relationships, trust-based philanthropy has gained traction as an alternative to the traditional funder-driven, compliance-oriented approach to philanthropy. While many in philanthropy are embracing a trust-based ethos and seek to shift attitudes and practices within their organizations, an investment of time and energy is needed to make these changes and therefore leadership buy-in is critical.
The first of this two-part webinar series hosted in partnership with Orange County Grantmakers (OCG), and the Trust Based Philanthropy Project addresses how to champion a trust-based approach within your organization and unpacked the rationale for adopting trust-based philanthropy from three standpoints: 1. how it benefits the funder; 2. how it benefits nonprofit partners; and 3. how it furthers philanthropy’s collective values and goals.
Attendees were provided with resources, examples, and talking points to make the case to your own leadership or board, as well as specific next actions you can pursue to move your organization forward on its trust-based journey.
Featured Speakers:
Phil Li, Robert Sterling Clark Foundation
Yolonda Lavender, Stryker Johnston Foundation
Gwyneth Tripp, Stupski Foundation
Session #2: Organizational Change
Hosted on July 14, 2022.
Overview:
Trust-based philanthropy sets a different course for changemaking in which funders work alongside nonprofits and communities, trusting their vision and expertise as we work collectively to advance justice, opportunity, and wellbeing for all. The dissonance of traditional philanthropy is that many of its policies, mindsets, and “best practices'' actually stem from and perpetuate the social, political, and economic inequalities that we are working to resolve. This means that the most transformative and sustainable expressions of trust-based philanthropy call for a reexamination not only of your organization’s grantmaking practices, but also its culture, structures, and leadership approach.
Engaging in this work means building internal trust and dialogue, defining or clarifying trust-based values, reviewing current policies and procedures — all of which takes time and commitment from an organization’s staff and board.
The second in our two-part learning series hosted in partnership by OCG and The Trust Based Philanthropy Project will focus on how to cultivate the internal support needed for this work of bringing your organization’s values and practices into deeper alignment. Participants will leave with strategies for fostering internal dialogue, understanding, and transparency that will equip your organization in navigating difficult conversations and key inflection points. You’ll hear from foundation leaders who have intentionally built in the time and process to center trust-based values in their work internally in order to fully lean into their commitment to trust-based philanthropy externally.
Featured Speakers:
Phil Li, Robert Sterling Clark Foundation
Mynor Alejandro Veliz, Headwaters Foundation
Gabriela Alcade, Elmina B. Sewall Foundation