Funders, now is the time to move in solidarity with nonprofits, mobilize money, and nurture possibility. Sign the philanthropic commitment, share this with peers, and join the growing community of grantmakers and donors taking trust-based, courageous action on behalf of our sector.| Trust-Based Philanthropy
Phil Li reflects on his own surprise at his role as President and CEO of the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, a feeling Lisa Cowan, Vice President, shares. “In some ways, we are naïve about the inherent power dynamic that lies between funders and grantees. Both Lisa and I used to be heads of nonpro| Trust-Based Philanthropy
Last week, in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, several of the nation’s top foundations pledged to ease or eliminate restrictions on grants, reduce asks of grantees, and support and uplift the voices of grantee partners. The Whitman Institute’s Pia Infante reflects on what happens after the| Trust-Based Philanthropy
These examples demonstrate structured ways that funders can provide support beyond the check.| Trust-Based Philanthropy
More and more grantmaking organizations recognize that additional forms of non-monetary support can make a big difference for nonprofits. Offering support “beyond the check” can help nonprofits do critical work that doesn’t strictly fall into grantmaking. The Weingart Foundation has been using this| Trust-Based Philanthropy
Lisa Cowan, Vice President at the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, reflects on a two-day funder-grantee retreat aimed at getting to know each other, building trust, and learning about each other’s work. In this blog post, she shares what can come out of such “beyond the check” experiences, and cons| Trust-Based Philanthropy
The Durfee Foundation’s approach is almost hard-wired to be trust-based. President Carrie Avery reflects that “the trust-based part comes into play because we trust (nonprofit) leaders to forge their own path and do what they need to get at the root of their questions.” Learn more about how Durfee s| Trust-Based Philanthropy
In this six-part webinar series, the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project and featured speakers address common questions, clarify misconceptions, and explore ways to overcome obstacles in implementing trust-based philanthropy.| Trust-Based Philanthropy
Many nonprofit leaders are focus-grouped and surveyed and interviewed into oblivion, and never hear what comes of their ideas. Lisa Cowan, Vice President at the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, shares an experience she had with grantees that drove home for just how important it is to both solicit a| Trust-Based Philanthropy
Amber Twitchell has worked in the nonprofit sector for almost 20 years. The current crisis has presented challenges she has never seen before. In this blog post, she reflects on the range of experiences she’s had with funders in response to covid-19. Amber highlights two foundations from the same co| Trust-Based Philanthropy
As sectors and organizations are reassessing the status quo, philanthropy has a unique, and urgent, opportunity. The Whitman Institute’s co-executive director John Esterle reflects on how foundations must meet the moment we are in with responsiveness, adaptability, and creativity. “To do so means re| Trust-Based Philanthropy
What happens when foundations accept proposals written for other funders? They get everything they need, it turns out. Lisa Cowan reflects on the practice at the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, where she serves as Vice President.| Trust-Based Philanthropy
Since 2016, Phil Li of the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation has taken dramatic steps toward embodying trust-based philanthropy, including getting rid of lengthy reporting requirements and shifting toward multi-year unrestricted support.| Trust-Based Philanthropy
Brenda Solorzano has led the Headwaters Foundation in Missoula, Montana with a commitment to trust-based philanthropy since its inception in 2018. This commitment has led to a number of innovations – including GO! Grants that are designed to put grant funds in the hands of grantees in less than a| Trust-Based Philanthropy
These sample unrestricted grant agreements from the North Star Fund, the Dorot Foundation, and the General Services Foundation provide language that focus on reducing the burden on grantees through more streamlined processes.| Trust-Based Philanthropy
In this post, Brenda Solorzano, CEO of the Headwaters Foundation, gives context and analysis to Jeff Bezos’ fast-moving, red-tape cutting philanthropy. One thing that’s missing: a commitment to power sharing and collaboration. Without those, Bezos runs the risk of being as challenging as the traditi| Trust-Based Philanthropy
Lisa Cowan, Vice President of the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, has a reminder for funders (including herself): “As funders, we must recognize that we are not experts at running the organizations we fund… When i give a grant, I gratefully part with the foundations’ dollars, to make sure that tho| Trust-Based Philanthropy
Several years ago, The Satterberg Foundation’s leadership decided to transform its grantmaking processes in an effort to build greater transparency and better alignment with their core values, including a shift to multi-year, unrestricted grants. Hear more from Executive Director, Sarah Walczyk.| Trust-Based Philanthropy
This four-part series invites funders to consider a multi-dimensional approach to the trust-based journey, which trust-based values shape grantmaking practices, culture, Structure, and leadership.| Trust-Based Philanthropy
Thousand Currents’ funding model is inherently trust-based, with an approach rooted in trusting the expertise of the leaders in the communities they serve. Executive Director Solomé Lemma shares her thoughts about how trust-based philanthropy enables them to advance their goals for social transforma| Trust-Based Philanthropy
As one of the six pillars of Trust-Based Philanthropy, “Do the homework” is a reminder that the onus is on foundations to understand nonprofit organizations, and seek to understand how they might fit the foundation’s interests. Phil Li, President and CEO of the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, refl| Trust-Based Philanthropy
Be Transparent & Responsive| Trust-Based Philanthropy
Look through this guide to find a compilation of the most commonly used terms and phrases used in the context of trust-based philanthropy and their definitions.| Trust-Based Philanthropy
Support Beyond the Check| Trust-Based Philanthropy
Solicit & Act on Feedback| Trust-Based Philanthropy
Simplify & Streamline Paperwork| Trust-Based Philanthropy
Multi-Year, Unrestricted Funding| Trust-Based Philanthropy
Do the Homework| Trust-Based Philanthropy
After more than 20 years of grantmaking in Los Angeles County, you’d think the Durfee Foundation would know all of the eligible nonprofits in the region. But as Claire Peeps, Executive Director of Durfee, reflects - that’s not the case. Claire writes, “Even with our lean staffing, we think it’s incr| Trust-Based Philanthropy
A cornerstone of trust-based philanthropy is a set of grantmaking practices that facilitate trust and transparency between funders and nonprofits.| Trust-Based Philanthropy
