Trust-Based Philanthropy Project

We have nothing but gratitude as we reflect on the many moments the Trust-based Philanthropy community has come together to meet the moment this year. From coast to coast, online and in-person, we've gathered as funders and sector leaders committed to a just and equitable society. Our community has shown up with care, courage, and commitment. We’re grateful for each of you, and for the collective work we’re building together. May this week offer you a moment to pause, give thanks, and replenish.   #MeetTheMoment #TrustBasedPhilanthropy

Trust-based philanthropy practices are taking root! Check out the results from this national field study of philanthropic practices of 765 grantmakers from our friends at Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO). ➡️Trust-based philanthropy is widely accepted: 62% of grantmakers said they were “completely” or “mostly” committed to TBP practices; only 4% said they were not familiar with the term.  ➡️Multiyear support is gaining momentum: 87% of grantmakers offer multiyear support, up from 79% in GEO’s 2017 field study. ➡️Flexible funding is catching on: 77% of grantmakers offer some general operating support. At the same time, the report found that capacity-building support is slipping: 77% of grantmakers provide capacity-building support, down from 86% in 2017. ‘Support beyond the check’ is one of TBP’s core practice areas and is particularly vital as nonprofits face increasing strain. The true test of trust-based philanthropy is how nonprofits and communities experience grantmaking partnerships, and if funders show up in solidarity with nonprofits when things get tough. While trust-based philanthropy should never be just a crisis response strategy, moments like the one we’re in require doubling down on trust-based practices and mobilizing resources in new ways. Check out the research here: https://lnkd.in/eC9zXxDB #TrustBasedPhilanthropy #MeetTheMoment #Grantmaking

🎃 What better way to get in the Halloween spirit than to watch and share this spoooooky video from our friends at Memphis Music Initiative about the horrors of conventional philanthropy. Enjoy 👻 https://lnkd.in/gzKMeMCV

✨ #Philanthropy Pivots: What other evidence do #funders need that trust-based, multi-year funding works? In a new mixed-methods study of their three-year trust-based partnerships with 35 organizations, the African Collaborative found that their partners grew their annual budgets by 170% and the reach of their impact by 1,125%. ➡️https://lnkd.in/etyUMkHG In a recent participatory global impact study of 49 partner organizations in 27 countries, Global Fund for Children explored how trust-based partnerships influence not only community-based organizations, but also their work with children and communities. ➡️https://lnkd.in/eRxJw4xF In a 2025 case study of seven organizations in California, Fund the People examined seven-year $500,000 per year commitments (!!!) by the Walter & Elise Haas Fund. They found that these long-haul grantmaking commitments improved nonprofit job quality and program performance. ➡️https://lnkd.in/eTwKjPAQ No. More. Excuses. Nonprofits in the U.S. and around the world are scrambling for resources to protect community wellbeing and defend democracy. Thousands of capable public service and social impact workers facing layoffs are ready to do the work. Don't just move the money. Make it large, unrestricted, multi-year funding.

💡 Trust-based philanthropy isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. It can (and should!) take different forms depending on the history, relationships, and power dynamics between funders and nonprofits. Organizations led by people who are directly impacted by social, economic, and environmental issues have a history of being underfunded, overlooked, and underestimated by philanthropy. So funders can't automatically expect a trust-based relationship by giving unrestricted funding or streamlining paperwork. 🫶🏽 Building impactful, trust-based relationships with social movement orgs goes deeper than grantmaking practices alone. It's about how we show up -- with humility, mutual accountability, listening, and collective care. That's why we love this new ✨ Solidarity Philanthropy ✨ toolkit from Grassroots International, for funders seeking to deepen trust and partnership with movements and communities — not from a distance, but in shared purpose. This is what #trustbasedphilanthropy looks like when building solidarity with movement orgs! Check out the toolkit and share ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ejj9_fFb

When the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project launched several years ago, at Global Fund for Children, we were thrilled to see such a compelling articulation of several practices that were connected to our core values across the years. At the same time, we have challenged ourselves to go deeper and learn from the community of peers part of this network. Recently, Global Fund for Children published a Global Impact Study, which offers evidence for the field about what trust looks like in practice. We are grateful for the opportunity to honor the leadership of the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project by sharing some reflections on what we learned about trust from our study. https://lnkd.in/e5KuYZ6J

🌟 THIS is what it looks like to #MeetTheMoment with #trustbasedphilanthropy: listening to partners, moving swiftly, thinking systemically, and mobilizing money for organizations that defend and protect our civic infrastructure. Huge kudos to Walter & Elise Haas Fund's staff and board for taking bold, trust-based action on behalf of our communities -- and increasing their 2025 payout by 44% (‼️). Join Walter & Elise Haas Fund and other #MeetTheMoment signatories by signing our pledge for trust-based action: https://lnkd.in/gvNg-38N #CourageIsContagious

🚨 We're in a defining moment where actions by the federal government are putting communities at risk and causing significant strain on nonprofits. ⛔ As the federal government deploys militarized action against civilians, guts vital social services like SNAP and Medicaid, and eliminates funding and programs meant to support everyday people.... 💪 Nonprofits are stepping up to meet our communities' needs, against all odds. From food banks, to legal aid orgs, to community centers and local broadcasters -- nonprofits are often the first to step up in times of crisis. 🏃🏾♂️➡️ Funders -- now is the time to listen, respond, and extend trust-based support and advocacy on behalf of our sector. Check out the data in our latest resource + concrete actions you can take today. 🫶 Very special thanks to: National Council of Nonprofits, Nonprofit Finance Fund, and Center for Effective Philanthropy for their data, insights, and tireless efforts to advocate on behalf of the nonprofit sector. #TrustBasedPhilanthropy #NonprofitsGetItDone #CourageIsContagious

🤔 "Does trust-based philanthropy *actually* produce results?" This is a question we have heard time and time again. In today's political climate, this is exactly the kind of support nonprofits need to sharpen their strategies and and build their capacity to meet growing demand. 📊 And the data shows: trust-based, multi-year, unrestricted funding is a highly strategic approach that has positive impacts for the funder, the nonprofit, and the communities served. But don't just take our word for it. Two recent studies have the evidence to back this up: ✅ Fund the People's Independent Study of Walter & Elise Haas Fund Long-Haul Grantmaking Strategy: https://lnkd.in/gFH7_9aU ✅ Global Fund for Children's Global Study of 49 nonprofits across 27 countries: https://lnkd.in/g-vUiCyn

🎂 Today we wish a very happy birthday to Institute For Voluntary Action Research (IVAR), which turns 25 today! 🚀 IVAR is the engine behind the Open & Trusting movement in the U.K., which promotes our shared vision of making #trustbasedphilanthropy the norm, with funders working alongside nonprofits to achieve better outcomes for all. 🌏 Together, we've been building strong peer communities of trust-based funders -- in the U.S., the U.K., and beyond -- and we've inspired research, action, and organizing in other parts of the world (shout-out to Trust-Based Philanthropy Japan & #VertrauenMachtWirkung in Germany). 🤝🏽 Culture change and sector change truly takes a village. We're grateful for our thought partnership with IVAR, and the global movement we are building together. Learn more about IVAR's Open & Trusting work ➡️ https://lnkd.in/enJXQR8s