Right now, many funders are feeling stuck. The world is shifting fast, the risks feel higher, and it’s not always clear what the “right” move is. In this moment, waiting for certainty can quietly turn into inaction.

In a Stanford Social Innovation Review article, Third Plateau Vice President Philippe Sion and co-author Catherine Crystal Foster make a simple but powerful case: clarity doesn’t come before action; it comes from it. The funders who are having the greatest impact right now aren’t the ones who have everything figured out; they’re the ones willing to act, learn, and adjust.

Here are a few ideas offered by Philippe and Catherine:

What This Moment Is Asking of Funders

• Start somewhere. You don’t need a perfect plan to move forward. Small, thoughtful actions can unlock learning and momentum.

• Rethink how you give, not just what you support. This is a moment to revisit payout levels, timelines, and tools, not to abandon your mission, but to better serve it.

• Stability is a powerful gift. Endowments, multi-year funding, and growth capital can give nonprofits the breathing room they need to adapt and lead.

• Capacity is mission-critical. Legal help, cybersecurity, AI readiness, and strong operations are no longer “nice to have.”

• Don’t do it alone. Collaborating with other funders reduces risk, builds courage, and increases impact.

• Perpetuity isn’t the only responsible choice. Time-bound philanthropy and spend-down approaches are helping some funders act with greater urgency and flexibility.

• Your influence extends beyond dollars. Convening, connecting, and signaling support can open doors money alone can’t.

• The real risk is standing still. Philanthropic capital exists to absorb risk, especially when communities can’t afford delay.

The throughline is clear: certainty is overrated, but relevance isn’t. Acting in alignment with your values and staying open to learning along the way is how philanthropy meets this moment.