I2I’s H2H: Trust-Based-Philanthropy + Kathleen’s Wedding + Client Spotlights
Hey there,
Welcome to Intention 2 Impact (I2I’s) Heart 2 Heart (H2H) newsletter - where we share what’s on our minds, in our hearts, and up-our-sleeves. This is an archived newsletter sent in August 2022. Want to read the newsletter in real time? Click here to subscribe!
On Our Minds
Pros, Cons, & Our Take on Trust-Based Philanthropy:
You may have heard this buzzword at the philanthropic dinner table. Trust-based philanthropy flips the script on the inherent power imbalances between funders and nonprofit grantees. While most nonprofits are shouting “OH MYGOD (Multi-Year General Operating Dollars) FINALLY!”, some philanthropists are raising an eyebrow…
What’s gucci 😎
Rather than nonprofits being held accountable by their funders, trust-based philanthropy encourages donors to give flexible, unrestricted, long-term funding that allows nonprofits to be accountable to the communities they serve (instead of whoever controls the purse strings).
Case in point: MacKenzie Scott’s latest giving spree is the crown jewel for trust-based philanthropy — after giving more than $12 billion in grants in under three years with little to no strings attached.
The beef 🐮 Surprise, surprise… not everyone is on the same page.
Simon Sommer, co-CEO of Jacobs Foundation, argues new philanthropists just want to give generously and quickly without the organizational infrastructure to conduct due diligence and manage grants.
The fear is that trust-based philanthropy may perpetuate inequalities, because trust itself is laden with assumptions and can be based on stereotypes. Critics of trust-based philanthropy call for data-driven philanthropy based on evidence rather than preference.
Our two cents ✌🏾
Ultimately, we believe data-driven and trust-based approaches are both necessary and not at all mutually exclusive.
In fact, equitable evaluation principles can be used to enable transparent grantmaking practices that uplift the power and autonomy of communities, while avoiding concerns raise by skeptics of trust-based philanthropy.
For funders to be accountable to communities, evaluation methods must center equity as both part of the process and an outcome of the work.
In Our Hearts
Celebrating the Darling Dolls
After dating for nearly 11 years, I2I’s COO, Kathleen Doll, married her long-time partner, Chris Darling in Estes Park, CO in June. I mean, with last names like “Darling” and “Doll”, it was always meant to be. 😍
I2I’s CEO, Nina Sabarre, stood proudly by their side as part of the bridal party. If you thought those two are dynamic on Zoom, you should see them on the dance floor. 👯♀️
Up Our Sleeves
Client Spotlights
I2I is proud to serve as the MEL (Monitoring, Evaluation, & Learning) partner for the Elevate Prize Foundation - an organization on a mission to #makegoodfamous 🤩 by amplifying the work of social impact leaders and democratizing philanthropy. Learn more about our work with them here.
We can’t wait to return to the Hello Neighbor Network later this month for our 2nd MEL 101 workshop with grassroots organizations working in post-refugee resettlements in the US🏡 Slide into our inbox if you want to learn more about our trainings!
Onward and upward, y’all!
You know, heart-2-hearts are supposed to be a 2-way street…
So comment below, what’s on your mind, in your heart, and up your sleeve? Hopefully a lil’ bit of good trouble. 😉
Subscribe to the newsletter here!
Until next time,
Intention 2 Impact
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