Mission

The Trust-Based Philanthropy Project is a five-year collaborative learning and advocacy initiative to make trust-based practices the norm in philanthropy.

Purpose

Recognizing the inherent power imbalance between foundations and nonprofits, we believe philanthropy will be more successful, rewarding, and effective if funders approach their grantee relationships from a place of trust. Too often, foundations get in the way of nonprofits doing the work they know best. This can slow down progress, perpetuate inefficiency, and obstruct nonprofit growth and innovation. Trust-based philanthropy reimagines that dynamic. Infused by core values of power-sharing, equity, humility, transparency, and curiosity, trust-based philanthropy envisions a world in which funders authentically partner with grantees in a spirit of service.