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.
Can Shifts In Grantmaking Lead to Deeper Culture Change?
“We’re realizing the power and potential of leading with our values when we think about attracting board and staff who are going to help us evolve the organization.” -Pamela Jons and Mauri Ingram
Community Knows What They Need
“So much of my role is acting as a translator between community and those controlling resources (myself included).” -Patricia Mejia
Chipping Away at Trust-Based Org Change
“I want to tell my peers who resist trust-based shifts: the field is evolving, we need to stop talking about risk and start listening to what our nonprofit partners want and need. There’s sector change happening, and it’s both past-due and important work.” -Suzanne Geary
Moving Beyond 30-Page Applications: One United Way’s Radical Transformation
“As we continue to live into our trust-based values and practices, we see how this philosophy must extend beyond our grantmaking.” -Emily Johnston and Grace Pesch
Pandemic Inspires Radical Reimagination … and Fewer Restrictions
“Losing the restrictions on our grants doesn’t mean losing our ability to track the impact of our grant recipients.” -Rehana Farrell, Lauren Elicks McCort, & Taylor Wright
Pooled Funds As a Gateway To Trust-Building
“If foundations are worried about siloing in the nonprofit sector, why do foundations insist on operating in their own silos?” -Henry Rael
A Journey from Traditional Grantmaking to Trust-Based Philanthropy
“Before we hold grantees accountable, we must hold ourselves accountable as funders.” -Jill Miller
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
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
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
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
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
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
We Can’t Achieve Impact Without Investing in Relationships
“What does our internal culture need to feel like to do this work together? It needs to feel like everyone’s voice is heard.” -Sarah Walczyk
Trust-Based Philanthropy as a Bridge to Equity
“What does it mean when you are trying to build trust when there is a racialized history of distrust within philanthropy?” -Anonymous Storyteller