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
Before Philanthropy, We Were Grantees
Vanessa Stevens, Director of Innovation and Influencing at Global Fund for Children asked some of her colleagues about how their experiences working at community-based organizations have shaped their values and decisions today as grantmakers. Here’s what they said.
Rigorous Evaluation Versus Trust-Based Learning: Is This a Valid Dichotomy?
"I believe that if we funders were honest with ourselves, we would all agree that the old ways of working are not getting us to the place we need to reach as a sector, or as a society." Brenda Solorzano, Headwaters Foundation
TBP or Not TBP? A Reflection on MacKenzie Scott’s Giving
Senior Fellow, Pia Infante reflects on a previous letter thanking MacKenzie Scott, for what was then referred to as her “trust-based philanthropy” approach. Despite some shared values, there are some key differences in the “how” of it all. “I now realize it was a bit hasty to label Scott’s effort “trust-based philanthropy.”
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
Connecting the Dots: Leveraging Trust-Based Practices in Environmental Grantmaking
Guest blogger Nina Lagpacan, Program Officer at Oceankind shares her trust-based journey and reflects on the six practices as a vehicle to inspire and transform philanthropy.
Learning Out Loud: Insights from our 2023 Grantmaker Survey
In January 2023, we launched the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project’s second annual grantmaker survey. We were thrilled to hear from almost 400 of you- over twice as many responses as last year! Thank you to every single person who took the time to respond to this year’s survey - we are truly grateful for the insights that your individual and collective feedback offers!
Trust-Based Learning & Evaluation: Lessons from the Fund for an Inclusive California
This is part two of a blog series developed in collaboration with the Fund for an Inclusive California (F4ICA), a trust-based collaborative fund dedicated to advancing community-driven solutions to housing justice across California.
Webinar Series: Demystifying Trust-Based Philanthropy
The Trust-Based Philanthropy Project is pleased to announce a six-part webinar series addressing common questions, clarifying misconceptions, and exploring ways to overcome obstacles in implementing trust-based philanthropy.
Seven Insights on Organizational Change for Trust-Based Philanthropy
Guest blogger, Andrew Spector takes a closer look at the level of trust between nonprofits, foundations, and beneficiaries. Why don’t many nonprofits trust beneficiaries more? Why don’t many foundations trust nonprofits more, and vice versa? What could all parties do to build and deepen trust with each other? How is this lack of trust limiting philanthropic impact?
Introducing Chantias Ford
The Trust-Based Philanthropy Project was thrilled to welcome Chantias Ford to our team this year as the new Director of Programs. Chantias brings an abundance of skill, passion, and heart to the role. Get to know her more in the Q & A below.
Introducing Danielle LaJoie
The Trust-Based Philanthropy Project was thrilled to welcome Danielle LaJoie to our team in January 2023 as Senior Manager of Partnerships & Programming. Danielle brings a long history in philanthropy to the role, dating back to her youth! Get to know her more in the Q & A below.
Introducing Eleni Refu
The Trust-Based Philanthropy Project was thrilled to welcome Eleni Refu to our team this year as the new Senior Manager of Knowledge & Resources. Eleni brings a rich set of experiences and wisdom to the role. Get to know her more in the Q & A below.
Expanding Our Team to Meet the Moment
In our December 2022 newsletter, we confirmed that the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project still plans to wind down at the end of 2024. To be clear, this does not mean that the trust-based philanthropy movement is going away. We at the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project want to be responsible and intentional about how we support the next chapter of this movement.
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
What Comes Next? Early Stage Reflections from TBP’s Senior Fellow
Earlier this year, I happily took on the role of Senior Fellow with the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project – driven by a sense that there was unfinished business from my previous role co-directing The Whitman Institute. These six months or so later, I have a slightly different purview.
When We Relinquish Power, Communities Are Better Off
“We can use our privilege to maintain the status quo, or create on-ramps to thriving communities and collective power.” -Julio Marcial
An Organizer-Turned-Funder Reimagines the Status Quo
“We need to change how we think about those who control the wealth and resources and those leading the work to achieve systemic change and racial justice.” -Isabel Sousa Rodriguez
Committing to Trust-Based Philanthropy Holds Us Accountable
“Once you publicly say you’re doing trust-based philanthropy, it puts you on the hook for really doing it.” -Stacey Faella
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