DOI
10.9707/1944-5660.1707
Key Points
Since 2020, trust-based philanthropy has gained momentum as a strategy to alleviate inherent power imbalances between funders, nonprofits, and the communities they serve. The cornerstone of the approach is a set of grantmaking practices, such as multiyear unrestricted funding and streamlined paperwork, that support nonprofit self-determination toward achieving impact goals.
At a deeper level, trust-based philanthropy is driven by core values that position funders as collaborators and supporters working alongside nonprofits to advance a more just and equitable society. This requires a radically different stance on accountability from conventional philanthropic norms. Rather than reinforcing a sense of one-way transactional accountability, which is common in conventional and “strategic” philanthropy, trust-based philanthropy prioritizes mutuality between funders and nonprofits — relational accountability — toward a shared sense of commitment to the communities being served — collective accountability. This fosters a strong ecosystem of relationships and accountability that allows for social impact in ways that otherwise would not be possible.
Through insights, analysis, and stories from social-sector leaders, this article argues that philanthropy is inherently more strategic and effective when funders embrace trust-based practices and collaborate with nonprofits with a spirit of collective accountability. It also provides concrete examples of systems change that has been possible as a result of trust-based philanthropic partnerships rooted in relational and collective accountability.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Salehi, S., & Infante, P. (2024). Forest for the Trees: Collective Accountability and Trust as Groundwork for Systems Change. The Foundation Review, 16(2). https://doi.org/10.9707/1944-5660.1707
Included in
Nonprofit Administration and Management Commons, Public Administration Commons, Public Affairs Commons, Public Policy Commons
