“In the Right Hands” Documentary
Trees, Water & People, an environmental nonprofit based in Fort Collins, created “In the Right Hands”, a short film that explores the importance and impact of trust-based philanthropy.
Trust-based philanthropy is a growing movement and practice in the philanthropic sector which encourages authentic donor-grantee relationships, unrestricted and long-term grant structures, and more flexible reporting requirements; ultimately, trust-based philanthropy seeks to reduce burdens upon nonprofits and other grantees, and facilitate investment in more long-term, systemic change by allowing communities greater autonomy and flexibility in the use of funding. Though these practices are not entirely new, the concept of trust-based philanthropy became more formalized under the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project and gained further momentum following the COVID-19 pandemic, which demonstrated the need for more flexible funding structures.
With a foundation of trust-based funding, TWP has been able to support long-term, transformational outcomes in communities and hopes to be part of broader shifts in philanthropy through creation of In the Right Hands. TWP’s film features interviews with philanthropic leaders, funders, and community members, as well as footage of TWP’s work, to convey the importance of trust-based funding. By exploring the challenges of conventional grantmaking structures and highlighting the impact of trust-based approaches, the film encourages philanthropists to engage in more equitable funding practices. Ultimately, shifting the ways in which funding is allocated is crucial for creating lasting change in the communities nonprofits seek to serve.
Director’s Statement
“This short film weaves together a series of impromptu interviews with nonprofit beneficiaries as they work on projects alongside testimonies from philanthropic professionals reflecting on topics of trust, time, relationships and impact. By putting these voices in conversation, we hope to inspire a new generation of donors and philanthropists that prioritize equity, trust, and long-term commitments in favor of short-term outputs and solutions.”
- Josè Chalit, Director, TWP Video & Content Producer