DOI
10.9707/1944-5660.1726
Key Points
Listening in the context of philanthropy is a common colloquial term that can have many definitions, ranging from everyday conversations that inform foundation work to more formal opportunities for community engagement. Most foundations say they listen, but all forms of listening are not equally beneficial, and listening alone does not inherently advance equity. Listening, done poorly, can be performative and extractive. Listening well, in ways that advance equity, is done in partnership, requires a response from the listener to acknowledge what’s been heard and what will be done as a result, and ultimately shifts power to the community.
Fund for Shared Insight is a national funder collaborative founded in 2014 to advance the idea that listening and feedback are valid and underutilized sources of insight to inform philanthropy’s work. As we built our own understanding and analyses of race and power, we recognized that systematic feedback loops, participatory philanthropy, and other forms of listening that center the voices and perspectives of people and communities can shift power to those most impacted and least consulted by nonprofits and philanthropy.
Other recent movements and initiatives — including trust-based philanthropy, equitable evaluation, and community-driven philanthropy — are promoting complementary principles and practices that center community voice, shift power over decisions and resources to impacted communities, and reduce foundations’ outsized power and influence. This convergence presents an opportunity to advocate for a clearer definition of listening as a pathway to rebalancing power.
In this article, we outline the principles and practices of funder listening to shift power, point to tools and resources that can support funders in different contexts, and invite funders to join a growing movement that respects the inherent power and expertise of individuals and communities and move toward working in relationship, partnership, and solidarity.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Tuan, M., Moyers, R., & Gulati-Partee, G. (2025). Funder Listening to Shift Power: Definitions and Context. The Foundation Review, 17(2). https://doi.org/10.9707/1944-5660.1726
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