Trust-based philanthropy is a framework, first defined in 2014 by The Whitman Institute’s Trust-Based Philanthropy Project, that aims to advance equity by rebalancing power between philanthropists and the community organizations they fund.

At its core, trust-based philanthropy invites us to look thoughtfully at philanthropy’s history, including the ways that broader systems of inequity have shaped how philanthropic wealth has developed over time. It also opens an ongoing conversation about who has traditionally been seen as “trustworthy” of receiving funding and why. At its heart, the approach is about bringing openness and a growth mindset to the sector.

Trust-based philanthropy is also a conversation about power — who holds it, how it moves through the sector, and what that means for the relationship between funders and the community organizations and leaders doing critical work every day. These are rich, layered questions without easy answers. Exploring them with openness and care is part of what makes trust-based philanthropy such a meaningful and hopeful approach.

Core Practices of Trust-Based Philanthropy

Trust-based philanthropy is not only an intellectual exercise; it provides specific recommended practices for philanthropists and foundations to more effectively contribute to a just and equitable nonprofit sector. These practices include:

• Multi-year, unrestricted funding. Rather than tying grants to narrow project budgets, funders provide flexible dollars that community organizations can direct toward their most pressing needs — trusting that the people closest to an issue are best positioned to know how to solve it.
• Reduced paperwork and reporting burdens. Lengthy applications and reporting requirements take time away from the work itself. Trust-based funders streamline these processes so nonprofits can focus energy on impact rather than compliance.
• Non-monetary support. Beyond funding, this can include offering networking, capacity-building resources, or access to other funders — meeting organizations where their needs actually are.
• Direct, authentic relationships. Rather than relying solely on formal site visits or written reports, trust-based funders seek out real dialogue with the community partners and leaders they support, building mutual understanding over time.

Together, these practices reflect a broader shift away from funders dictating solutions from a distance, and toward genuine partnership between the organizations and communities doing the work. As more philanthropists embrace this kind of approach, it has the potential to reshape not just how grants are made, but the lasting impact that can be achieved through close partnership with the communities they seek to serve.