Sharing Power to Advance Impact: The Promise of Trust-Based Philanthropy

A Social Innovation Forum Funder Education Program

As the challenges of the past year have illuminated, effective philanthropy relies on partnership, dialogue, and transparency with nonprofits and communities. It also requires grantmakers to reexamine traditional practices in service of a healthier and more equitable nonprofit sector. As a result, more and more funders are taking steps to embrace trust-based philanthropy, a values-based approach that intentionally addresses the inherent power imbalances in our work by advocating for multi-year unrestricted funding, streamlined paperwork, and grantee partnerships rooted in mutual learning.

But what is the process of building trust and mutual accountability with nonprofit partners? What does it actually look like to operationalize grantmaking practices that are power-aware and equity-focused? And what, ultimately, does the sector gain if more and more funders intentionally embrace a trust-based approach?

In this webinar, hosted by the Social Innovation Forum, two foundation leaders who have embedded trust-based values and practices into their work share what they're doing, what they are learning, and what is possible when funders commit to giving up some control in service of healthier and stronger nonprofits and communities.

Speakers:

• Carrie Avery, President: Durfee Foundation

• John Brothers, President: T. Rowe Price Foundation