The Program
Trust-based philanthropy is a philosophy and approach rooted in values of relationship-building, mutual learning, and systemic equity – with a vision of advancing a healthier and more impactful nonprofit sector. In partnership with the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project, we are offering a six-part webinar series to help address common questions, clarify misconceptions, and explore ways to overcome obstacles in implementing trust-based philanthropy.
While this approach is generally associated with six core grantmaking practices such as multi-year unrestricted funding and streamlined paperwork, the day-to-day work of trust-based philanthropy is very nuanced and dynamic. In fact, funders who have embraced this approach are finding that it requires ongoing self-reflection and rigor with regards to how they think about – and evolve – many of the deeply embedded practices and assumptions of traditional philanthropy.
Given these nuances, it is not surprising that there are many questions and occasional misperceptions about what it actually means to embody trust-based philanthropy in practice. In this 6-part webinar series, the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project will explore some of the most commonly asked questions and the underlying misperceptions that may be roadblocks to understanding and operationalizing trust-based philanthropy.
What will you learn?
At the end of Session 2 of 6, participants will be able to:
- Clarify the misperception that giving unrestricted funding is an automatic qualifier to being a trust-based funder and understand the distinction between the two
- Distinguish the difference between unrestricted funding that is deployed in a trust-based way and what it looks like when it's not
- Reference case studies from funders who have shifted from project-specific to majority unrestricted funding, as well as those who have embedded trust-based values within semi-restricted grants
- Articulate the philosophy behind unrestricted funding in a trust-based context
- Identify strategies for aligning trust-based values with the way grants are structured and deployed
Speakers
- List of Trust-Based Philanthropy Project guest speakers in formation
- PNY Representative, Breakout Facilitator
Who should attend?
All interested funders in grantmaking roles. What to expect: presentation followed by breakout discussions.
Recording
What else should you know?
This is a six-session webinar series. Each session in the series will focus on a frequently asked question from the field, and will feature perspectives from foundation leaders and others who have grappled with similar or related questions. At the end of each session, participants will walk away with: 1) a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the underlying cultural philosophy of trust-based philanthropy; 2) tips for how to think about and approach these nuances in their own work; and 3) talking points for how to answer these FAQs when they come up from colleagues or peers.
If you are interested in this session, you might also be interested in one or more of the following sessions:
- April 19 – Session #1: Does Trust-Based Philanthropy Mean Unconditional Trust?
- May 11 – Session #2: Does Unrestricted Funding Automatically Make a Funder Trust-Based?
- May 31 – Session #3: How Do We Approach Risk and Due Diligence in Trust-Based Philanthropy?
- June 14 – Session #4: What Does Grantee Accountability Look Like in Trust-Based Philanthropy?
- July 12 – Session #5: What Does Evaluation Look Like in a Trust-Based Context?
- August 2 – Session #6: What Does Trust-Based Philanthropy Have to Do With Racial Equity?