Trust-Based Philanthropy Explained (for Giving Circles)
This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of trust-based philanthropy as it applies specifically to giving circles. Included in the guide, you can find a list of frequently asked questions, outlines of concrete steps you can take, and a list of additional resources
What is trust-based philanthropy?
New to trust-based philanthropy? Check out this short animation that walks you through the core of what the trust-based philanthropy approach is.
210 Goodbyes: Lessons From Ending Grantee Relationships
This resource from the S.D. Bechtel Jr. Foundation provides guidance and practical steps for how to navigate the ending of a grantmaking relationship in a way that maintains your grantee partner’s needs in mind.
The Equitable Evaluation Framework (EEF)
This resource from the Equitable Evaluation Framework™ (EEF) provides guidance on how to align your purpose, practices, processes, and policies with your foundation’s stated values and intentions.
6-Part Series: Demystifying 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.
Sample Collection: Job Descriptions
These sample variety of job descriptions offer guidance for funders seeking to incorporate trust-based values in their staff roles.
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.
Series: Trust-Based Philanthropy for Community Foundations
This two-part series, a partnership between the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project, Philanthropy Northwest, and the Iowa Council of Foundations, is designed for community foundations that are actively working to embrace trust-based philanthropy. This series explores how trust-based philanthropy plays out in the unique context of community foundations working at the intersection of grantmaking, fund development, donor relations, and community leadership
Support Beyond the Check
This one-pager outlines concrete steps funders can take today in their organization’s culture, structure, and leadership to support their grant partners beyond the check
Trustee Perspectives on Trust-Based Philanthropy
Since 2010, bi3, the philanthropic initiative of Bethesda, Inc., has invested $50 million to transform and enhance health in Greater Cincinnati. In the following videos, Bethesda Inc. Trustees Dr. Robert Collins, Ellen Katz, and Jill Miller, share about the impact of trust-based philanthropy and the role boards play in supporting their organizations on their trust-based journey.
Trust-Based Philanthropy vs. Conventional Grantmaking
While two institutions may share the same mission, how they carry it out can vary widely. Trust-based philanthropy flips the script on conventional philanthropy by promoting a culture of sharing power, centering relationships, and fostering mutual accountability. While the two approaches are not always diametrically opposed, this overview highlights some key areas of distinction wherein trust-based philanthropy reimagines conventional norms.
Planet & Partnership: Funding Climate Solutions via Equitable Partnerships
For corporate philanthropy to be more equitable and impactful, we need to examine and reimagine the way we do our work to better center the experiences of leaders who are on the frontlines of the issues we seek to address. As businesses and funders, we can accelerate climate solutions that advance equity while at the same time shifting power dynamics within traditional philanthropy, and building authentic and mutually accountable relationships with frontline and local communities. How do we build these relationships?
In this webinar, the team at The Trust Based Philanthropy Project will share a framework for more equitable and effective grantmaking partnerships as we hear from community partners and B Corp funders who are operationalizing trust-based practices.
Series: The Fundamentals of Trust-Based Philanthropy
This two-part series dives into the six practices of trust-based philanthropy and the culture, structures, and leadership necessary for funders to bridge the values-to-practice gap and embody a trust-based approach.
Roadmap to Trust-Based Transformation
This one-pager provides a snapshot of some of the key milestones for trust-based transformation and how they connect to your organizational culture, structures, leadership, and practices.
Strategic Focal Points for Trust-Based Boards
This guide outlines the four, non-mutually exclusive focal points—learning, strategy, grantmaking, and imagination—in which foundation boards can direct their time and attention when stewarding trust-based organizations.
Participatory Grantmaking and Trust-Based Philanthropy
This webinar explores what it takes to build trust within a participatory framework, and how to bolster the strengths of trust-based philanthropy and participatory grantmaking—while also mitigating their tensions and challenges.
Trust-Based Philanthropy & Racial Justice – Both/And
In this breakout conversation at Unity Summit 2021, Pia Infante of the Whitman Institute and Brenda Solorzano of Headwaters Foundation discuss the deep links between trust-based philanthropy and embodying values of equity and racial justice.
Will trust-based philanthropy solve the funder to nonprofit power imbalance?
Shaady Salehi joins Fluxx co-founder Kerrin Mitchell for a conversation on Untapped Philanthropy, exploring how to reorient our perspectives on impact and rigor in a trust-based approach to grantmaking.
Advancing Trust-Based Philanthropy through Emergent Learning
This report charts the Winston-Salem Foundation's journey with both emergent learning and trust-based, where developing trusting relationships with grantees through dialogue facilitated mutual learning.
Redistributing Power Through Trust-Based Philanthropy
In this breakout session of the 2021 Global Philanthropy Forum, two trust-based funders describe the organizational structures and mindsets, rooted in trust, required to alleviate the power dynamic between funders and nonprofits.