Series: The Six Practices of Trust-Based Philanthropy

OverviewMultiyear UnrestrictedSimplify & StreamlineBeing TransparentSupport Beyond the CheckDoing the HomeworkPresentations and Webinars
Written By Trust-Based Philanthropy Project

This monthly webinar series was hosted by Trust-Based Philanthropy Project in partnership with Philanthropy CA to explore the six practices of trust-based philanthropy.

When these practices work in tandem with one another, they help alleviate the power imbalances between funders and nonprofits, giving funders a way to embody their values of equity and justice while redistributing critical resources and power to the nonprofits closest to the issues on the ground. Each session explores the practices one by one and showcases examples from different foundations, including lessons and advice you can use as you look to deepen your trust-based practices. Each webinar will also include research and insights from leading organizations that have been contributing to the growing body of knowledge on each topic. These webinars offer participants a deeper level of understanding on how to embody these principles, how to take steps to make shifts toward these practices, and how to address any questions or concerns from colleagues along the way. While each session inevitably builds upon the others, each can stand on its own so that you can pick and choose the sessions that make the most sense for you.

 

Session #1: Multi-Year Unrestricted Funding

Overview:

In the first of this seven-part series, we explore multi-year unrestricted funding, which is one of the cornerstone practices of a trust-based approach. Unrestricted funding over time is essential for creating healthy, adaptive, and effective organizations. Not only does it allow nonprofits to take risks, plan ahead, and take emergent action, but it also allows funders to access a deeper level of learning and insight into nonprofits’ needs and challenges. This type of support was particularly important in March of 2020, as many organizations faced mounting challenges amidst the global pandemic.

In this webinar, we hear leaders as they discuss the nuts and bolts of offering multi-year unrestricted funding and how they are responding to the questions and concerns that come up with this type of practice.

Hosted on March 24 2020.

Featured Speakers: 

Session #2: Doing the Homework

Overview:

In the second of this seven-part series, we do a deep dive into doing the homework, a practice where the the funder takes on responsibility for getting to know prospective grantees, not the other way around. Why? Because in early vetting stages, nonprofits are often required to jump through many unnecessary hoops—lengthy application processes, intensive submission requirements, or cumbersome online portals—just to be considered for funding. Trust-based philanthropy calls on us to streamline these processes by taking on the onus of due diligence and being more intentional about assessing alignment without wasting nonprofits’ time. What are some practical, realistic ways funders can legitimately “do the homework” in a way that is manageable while also paving the way for long-term trusting relationships with grantees? And how can funders be intentional about looking beyond their usual circles to identify organizations that may be overlooked due to implicit bias?

In this webinar, foundation and nonprofit leaders answer these questions and more. They lay out practical ways to start doing the homework, what they’ve learned along the way, and how flipping the script and taking on the burden of legwork builds trust and shifts power.

Hosted on April 14, 2020.

Featured Speakers:

Session #3: Simplify & Streamline

Overview:

A trust-based approach recognizes that nonprofit staff spend an inordinate amount of time on funder-driven paperwork, and they will ultimately be more effective if they are freed up to concentrate on mission. In the third webinar in this series, we explore how the practice of streamlining and simplifying, where funders sharpen their awareness around burdensome paperwork processes and develop alternate ways to approach applications and reporting processes. We also dig into considerations to make as you implement this practice, including switching to verbal reports and accepting proposals written for other funders, and how these different ways of connecting with grantees ultimately free up our own time and give us deeper learning and insight.

Hosted on May 7, 2020.

Featured Speakers:

Session #4: Be Transparent & Responsive

Overview:

In the fourth webinar of this series, we focus on the practice of being transparent and responsive. Why? Because open, honest, and transparent communication minimizes power imbalances and helps move the work forward. Ultimately, this practice is all about creating the conditions for more honest funder-grantee relationships. For example, how can funders be more transparent with prospective grantees about what you do and don’t fund? How can we strive for transparency with current grantees, especially if it has to do with making changes to funding strategies? And how can we remain responsive to our grantee partners amidst our very busy schedules and crowded inboxes?

In this webinar, we’ll hear from foundation leaders as they share their own journeys to be more transparent and responsive, including potential blind spots to look out for and tips you can immediately put into practice in your day-to-day work.

Hosted on June 9, 2020.

Featured Speakers:

Session #5: Solicit & Act On Feedback

Overview:

Soliciting and acting on feedback is an integral practice to a trust-based approach because grantee partners provide valuable perspective that can help make our work better and more effective as funders. In the fifth of this seven-part series, we discuss how to solicit feedback well, avoid pitfalls, and manage our reactions to feedback we don’t like or can’t act on. Our presenters open up about the various scenarios of when and how they solicit feedback, what different tools you can use to get insights into your practice, and how to keep grantee partners in the loop on how you’re incorporating their feedback (or not).

Hosted on July 14, 2020.

Featured Speakers:

Session #6: Support Beyond the Check

Fundamentally, the practice of providing support beyond the check encourages funders to see our role as partners in a spirit of service with our grantees, as opposed to transactional gatekeepers that simply write checks. Many funders have the power and ability to support grantees in myriad non-monetary ways—through convenings, opening doors to other funders, serving as a sounding board, promoting grantees’ work, and more. What are some ways you might be able to support your grantee partners beyond the check? And what are some tactful ways to offer that type of support without making grantee partners feel obligated? This webinar unpacks these questions and offers examples of support beyond the check that ultimately pay off for grantee partners.

Hosted on August 18, 2020.

Featured Speakers:

Session #7: Making the Case

Implementing the practices of trust-based philanthropy is an organization-wide endeavor, and in the final webinar of this series, we share stories and strategies for making the case for these trust-based practices in your organization. From addressing skeptical questions from your finance and legal team, to building buy-in across roles and departments and making the case to leadership and trustees, we’ll discuss how to approach a range of scenarios based on real life examples. Presenters offer their insights from a range of organizational contexts and offer tools for responding to questions and concerns that might come up along the way.

Hosted on September 15, 2020.

Featured Speakers:

Trust-Based Philanthropy Project
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