More About the Project
Click a question to view the answer.
How do I get involved with the Project? →
There are many ways to get involved, depending on your role and interest. Check out our getting started page for some ideas.
What peer learning opportunities do you offer? →
We currently have two peer exchange listservs: one for grantmakers and one for consultants. Both are excellent opportunities to connect with and learn from peers who are exploring trust-based philanthropy. You can learn more and sign up here.
How do you work with philanthropic serving organizations (PSOs)? →
Partnerships with PSOs are critical to our goals of making trust-based practices the norm. We are a small team, and fully recognize that we could never change the entire sector on our own. Critically, we know our work will only be successful if it can be embedded within existing networks and spaces where funder organizing happens. We are open to exploring collaboration with organizations that have reach and influence with philanthropies around the United States and worldwide. We are prioritizing alliances that are aligned with our values and that share our north star. If you are with a PSO or other philanthropy-influencing organization, please email hello@trustbasedphilanthropy.org with your interest and we will get back to you.
Do you offer consulting services for foundations or donors who want to operationalize trust-based philanthropy? →
The Trust-Based Philanthropy Project has partnered with The Giving Practice at Philanthropy Northwest (TGP) to meet the growing demand for trust-based philanthropy consulting. You can learn more about TGP’s senior advisors and trust-based philanthropy services here.
What can nonprofits do to support this movement? →
While our effort is predominantly focused on engaging and activating funders, the voice and involvement of nonprofits continues to be a critical part of this ongoing movement. If you are a nonprofit leader that wants to initiate conversations about trust-based philanthropy with your funders, ask them if they have heard about it and encourage them to check out our website. If you have a funder that you think is an excellent example of trust-based philanthropy, let them know, and ask them to use their power and position to get other funder peers on board. If you have a funder that is trustwashing or mis-appropriating trust-based philanthropy, please contact us to share your story. While we are not a watchdog organization, it is important for us to be aware when funders are misappropriating the approach.
Do you provide grants, or can you help introduce my nonprofit to trust-based funders? →
We are not a grantmaking organization, and unfortunately we are unable to make introductions to funders. If you are a nonprofit leader looking for funders that operate in a trust-based way, we welcome you to peruse our blog to read stories from funders who may be funding in your issue area or region.
How many of the six grantmaking practices must a foundation embrace in order to be considered “trust-based”? →
Trust-based philanthropy is a holistic cultural approach and ethos that goes much deeper than the practices. For this reason, it’s not about how many practices, but rather how you/your grantmaking organization embodies values of equity, humility, transparency, curiosity, and collaboration — both in what you do, and how you do it. Trust-based leaders embody these values by being self-reflective, acknowledging power, and remaining committed to alleviating power imbalances. It also means investing time in cultivating and maintaining power-aware relationships internally (at the staff, leadership, and board levels) as well as externally (with grantee partners and in community). The six practices are simply an articulation of how these values can manifest in your grantmaking. We encourage you to explore our TBP in 4D resource that offers more context and guidance on how to apply trust-based values across your grantmaking practices, as well as your culture, structures, and leadership.
Can I as an individual still embrace trust-based philanthropy if I’m not in a decision-making role at my organization? →
Yes, you can still model a trust-based ethos even if your institution is not fully aligned with the value of trust-based philanthropy. After all, trust-based philanthropy is not just about what you do in policy and practice – it’s how you do it. For example, you can strive to be responsive and transparent, showing up in a way that is approachable and relational (rather than transactional). T If you want to advance institutional changes toward a trust-based approach, share the trust-based philanthropy overview or self-reflection tool with your colleagues to see if it sparks a discussion about opportunities to evolve your work to be more equitable and relational.