do-the-homework@2xgreen.png

Do the Homework

It is the funder's responsibility to get to know the issues and organizations in their funding landscape, saving nonprofits time in the early stages of the vetting process.

Steps You Can Take

  • Reduce pre-proposal requirements for grant applicants

  • Use available public records to understand a prospective grantee’s purpose, programs, leadership, and financial standing

  • Look beyond your usual circles to identify organizations that are aligned with your foundation’s values and vision, but that may be overlooked due to implicit bias

  • Revisit your grantmaking criteria to understand how it may be giving preference to more established or well-funded organizations, with the goal of having it center the needs, experiences, and priorities of the people closest to the issues you seek to address 

The Difference It Will Make

  • Alleviates power imbalance by putting the onus of due diligence on the grantmaker

  • Saves grantees from wasting time on unnecessary paperwork in early vetting stages

  • Paves the way for a more trusting and rewarding relationship with grantees

What It Looks Like

“Rather than using a formal application process, we invite prospective grantees to submit an application or proposal they have already submitted to another funder, and if we need more information, we follow up to get that. We spend the time to get to know a prospective grantee partner up front. Whenever possible, we meet with them at their offices, and go to sessions, classes, or conferences they are leading.”

- Phil Li, Robert Sterling Clark Foundation

 From the Blog

Featured
Invitation Only: Closing the Door to Equity?
Invitation Only: Closing the Door to Equity?

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 increasingly important to keep the door open, so let me share with you why and how we do it.”

Exploring the Principles: Do the Homework
Exploring the Principles: Do the Homework

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, reflects on that responsibility, and opportunity.

Thousand Currents' Proactive Approach to Shifting Power Dynamics
Thousand Currents' Proactive Approach to Shifting Power Dynamics

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 transformation.

 
 

TBP Resources 

Featured
Doing the Homework
Doing the Homework

This guide provides insight on what it really means to do the homework and outlines action steps funders can take to meaningfully incorporate this practice in their organizational structure, culture, and relationships.

Read More →
6 Trust-Based Practices at-a-Glance
6 Trust-Based Practices at-a-Glance

This guide provides a 2-page overview of the trust-based philanthropy approach, including the six practices of trust-based grantmaking.

Read More →
Series: Trust-Based Philanthropy in 4D
Series: Trust-Based Philanthropy in 4D

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.

Read More →
Grantmaking with a Racial Justice Lens
Grantmaking with a Racial Justice Lens

The Philanthropic Initiative for Racial Equity created this guide to help foundation leaders understand what it means to move from racial equity to racial justice funding strategies.

Read More →

“Doing the homework and spending time with prospective grantees is the beginning of building a relationship – whether we move forward or not – and gives them cues about our foundation’s values and approach.”

—Phil Li, Robert Sterling Clark Foundation

Phil200.png