It’s time to address power and build equity in philanthropy
As grantmakers, we have a responsibility to confront the ways our sector has contributed to systemic inequities, both in the ways wealth is accumulated and in the ways its dissemination is controlled. This history is entrenched in racism, patriarchy, and other forms of oppression, which are at the root of every social issue nonprofits seek to address. As funders, we must recognize how these norms have shaped, informed, and influenced our entire sector—including who is deemed trustworthy, and who is not.
The Trust-Based Philanthropy Project is a five-year, peer-to-peer funder initiative to address the inherent power imbalances between foundations and nonprofits. At its core, trust-based philanthropy is about redistributing power—systemically, organizationally, and interpersonally—in service of a healthier and more equitable nonprofit sector. On a practical level, this includes multi-year unrestricted funding, streamlined applications and reporting, and a commitment to building relationships based on transparency, dialogue, and mutual learning.
Core to this work are six key principles that put trust-based values into action:
Give Multi-Year, Unrestricted Funding
Multi-year, unrestricted funding gives grantees the flexibility to assess and determine where grant dollars are most needed, and allows for innovation, emergent action, and sustainability.
Do the Homework
Trust-based philanthropy makes it the funder’s responsibility to get to know prospective grantees, saving nonprofits time in the early stages of the vetting process.
Simplify & Streamline Paperwork
Nonprofits spend an inordinate amount of time on funder-imposed paperwork. Streamlined approaches free up staff time, and pave the way for deeper relationships and mutual accountability.
Be Transparent & Responsive
Open communication helps build relationships rooted in trust and mutual accountability. When funders model transparency, power awareness, and vulnerability, it signals to grantees that they can show up more fully.
Solicit & Act on Feedback
A foundation’s work will be inherently more successful if it is informed by the expertise and lived experience of grantee partners.
Offer Support Beyond the Check
Responsive, adaptive, non-monetary support bolsters leadership, capacity, and organizational health.