3-Part Series: Practice, Values, & Culture
This series, developed by Trust-Based Philanthropy Project, Blue Sky Funders Forum, and Environmental Grantmakers Association, explores the practices, values, and culture of what it means to be a trust-based funder. At its core, trust-based philanthropy is about redistributing power - systemically, organizationally, and interpersonally - in service of a healthier and more equitable nonprofit sector.
As this approach becomes more and more recognized in our sector, many foundations are making strides to adopt trust-based practices in order to deepen their relationships and impact. This has become more prevalent and urgent during the pandemic to effectively respond to emerging needs. We see an opportunity to build on this journey, and further explore what it looks like to adopt trust-based practices; how it connects to your organizational culture and values and connections with work to advance racial equity and justice; and what it takes to build a trust-based culture from the inside-out.
Session #1: Practice: The 6 Principles of Trust-Based Philanthropy
With Phil Li, Robert Sterling Clark Foundation; Sarah Walzcyk, Satterberg Foundation; and Elena Chavez Quezada, San Francisco Foundation
Too often, foundations inadvertently get in the way of nonprofits doing the work they know best. This can slow down progress, perpetuate inequities, and obstruct nonprofit growth and innovation. Trust-based philanthropy reimagines that power dynamic, advocating for a set of six interrelated principles that, when practiced together, help put trust-based values into action. This includes 1) giving multi-year unrestricted funding, 2) doing the homework, 3) simplifying and streamlining paperwork, 4) being transparent and responsive, 5) soliciting and acting on feedback, and 6) offering support beyond the check. While trust-based philanthropy is greater than the sum of its principles, these practices are often a good starting point for those who are getting familiar with the approach. Join us for a deep dive into the rationale behind these principles, the benefits and learnings that can be achieved as a result, and storytelling from foundations that have made the intentional shift toward embracing these practices into their daily work and operations.
This webinar was hosted on March 24, 2021.
Session #2: Building a Trust-Based Culture Among Staff & Board
With Mailee Walker, Claneil Foundation; Dimple Abichandani, General Service Foundation; and Gabriela Alcalde, Edmina B. Sewall Foundation
For trust-based philanthropy to succeed, it requires trust at all levels: between the board and staff, among staff, and between staff and grantee partners. A trust-based culture is the necessary foundation for an organization to fully embody trust-based philanthropy. This requires time and commitment from an organization’s staff and board to build internal trust and dialogue in order to be able to model that externally. But what does it take for an organization to fully embrace and cultivate internal trust? What are the roles and responsibilities of a trust-based board and staff? How do you work to build trust over time, and how can you be aware of the blind spots and implicit biases that get in the way of building trust and transparency? Join us as we dig into these questions and hear from foundation leaders who have intentionally built in the time and process to build trust internally in order to fully lean into their commitment to trust-based practices and values.
This webinar was hosted on April 21, 2021.
Session #3: How to Show Up In A Trust-Based Way
With Pia Infante, The Whitman Institute; Lisa Cowan, Robert Sterling Clark Foundation; Katherine Zavala, Thousand Currents; and Alison Corwin, Surdna Foundation
Trust-based philanthropy isn’t just about what you do and how you fund, but also about how you show up. This requires constant self-reflection, a willingness to learn and listen, and an ability to assess and address power imbalances. How can we cultivate these types of practices in our everyday work? How can funders embrace trust-based dispositions even if we’re not part of an organization that is fully trust-based in its practices? How can we manage the challenges and realities of building trust over time, especially among nonprofit partners that may have experienced trauma and strain in their past funder relationships? Join us for this final session where we’ll dive into the dispositions and behaviors of being a trust-based funder, with real-life scenarios and examples of how funders have navigated these questions in their own work.
This webinar was hosted on May 19, 2021.