Seeing results right away can be so satisfying, but systemic change takes time. Most importantly, practicing direct philanthropy means trusting local leaders to decide where funds go first. Consider giving flexible funding to a community-based organization (CBO) so they can invest in their most pressing needs. And think about incorporating long-term investments into your grantmaking plans, devoting a portion of your funds to organizations that are building movements.

“We’re supporting incredible visionaries tackling some of the biggest, most complex social problems on the planet. As a funder, it's imperative to be patient.”

Patience is a virtue — and a central tenet of systemic change. At the relationship level, focus on building long-term partnerships with CBOs. At the tactical level, consider more multi-year, flexible grants.

“Funders who believe in the long-term promise of our work not only give us deep gratitude, but also long-term partners to walk alongside.”

Not at all! If you’re reading this and you’re ready to learn, you can dive into direct philanthropy.

“Young people are the only demographic in the world whose ideas haven’t yet been heard. Philanthropy is at its best when we encourage young people to use those ideas for the betterment of their community, and give them the knowledge and resources to do it.”

Spot on! If you’re ready to learn, you can dive into direct philanthropy. Many hands make light work, and a multigenerational network of funders working through direct philanthropy is even more powerful. Which philanthropists can you bring into the fold? Share the Direct Philanthropy Starter Kit with your network.

“Young people are the only demographic in the world whose ideas haven’t yet been heard. Philanthropy is at its best when we encourage young people to use those ideas for the betterment of their community, and give them the knowledge and resources to do it.”

Testing and measurement are important tools for identifying what works, but they’re not the only way to evaluate long-term impact. In addition to considering other ways to understand impact, why not think about letting the community define what success looks like?

“Evaluation criteria must make sense to the community and therefore it is important for the practitioners, funders, and the community to co-define what ‘success’ and ‘impact’ mean. Building trust, working collaboratively, and grounding the evaluation in place, culture, and locality is key to supporting what we call a community- and culturally-led approach to impact evaluation.”

It’s good to have real, on-the-ground feedback from the people you’re serving. This means asking questions like: Is the organization more successful overall? Have they grown their reputation with partners? Have they learned and adapted their approach? No matter how you measure success, results are only meaningful if the community itself defines impact.

“Evaluation criteria must make sense to the community and therefore it is important for the practitioners, funders, and the community to co-define what ‘success’ and ‘impact’ mean. Building trust, working collaboratively, and grounding the evaluation in place, culture, and locality is key to supporting what we call a community- and culturally-led approach to impact evaluation.”

True! Although all three of these models actually work. There’s no one right way to incorporate direct philanthropy into your giving portfolio. You could also think about donating to a coalition of community organizations, where flexible funding can support a network of grassroots solutions. Or consider investing in funds that specialize in direct philanthropy — look for foundations that operate through a philosophy of community-centered giving or trust-based philanthropy.

Have more ideas on making direct philanthropy work for different kinds of funders? Email us.

“A true relationship and partnership grows, learns, and evolves together. Funding partnerships should be no different. When we focus only on the intended impact outcome without appreciation for the journey and co-learning opportunity then so much rich information is lost. This information is critical to inform how philanthropic efforts can truly have a sustained impact that builds resiliency in the communities it seeks to serve instead of dependency.”

True! Although all three of these models actually work. There’s no one right way to incorporate direct philanthropy into your giving portfolio. You could also think about a long-term, flexible grant for one organization, which is hugely beneficial for small CBOs. Or consider investing in funds that specialize in direct philanthropy — look for foundations that operate through a philosophy of community-centered giving or trust-based philanthropy.

Have more ideas on making direct philanthropy work for different kinds of funders? Email us.

“A true relationship and partnership grows, learns, and evolves together. Funding partnerships should be no different. When we focus only on the intended impact outcome without appreciation for the journey and co-learning opportunity then so much rich information is lost. This information is critical to inform how philanthropic efforts can truly have a sustained impact that builds resiliency in the communities it seeks to serve instead of dependency.”

You’re a great candidate for supporting mature nonprofits, and also seeking out existing community collaboratives. These cohorts of CBOs are already organized and know how to work together to drive systems change in their communities. These groups need long-term support and flexibility to take advantage of opportunities as they emerge.

You’re a great candidate for supporting a future coalition of high quality, effective CBOs with complementary agendas. Many leaders who have made waves individually become even more successful when they collaborate with adjacent groups. Coalition building needs to be driven by the community, but you can first help by listening. Once you’ve established a relationship with an organization, start small and see how you can support your partners as they build trust with other local leaders and continue strengthening their networks.

You might be used to working in established structures where decisions are codified and people have already been vetted. Through the direct philanthropy model, we’ve learned that trusting leaders is the best way to ensure success — and this takes time and learning. It might mean letting go of some existing assumptions and practices as you commit to long-term partnership and mutual respect.

“Trusting funds into the hands of our partners has triggered a wonderful dynamic of joint learning and growing in responsibility and accountability. We are not talking in meetings anymore but gather for reflection and conversation in order to engage the best we can.”

It’s important to leave room for local leaders to do their work. You might feel excited or nervous about collaborating like this, but trusting leaders is the best way to ensure success — and honestly, it just feels better.

“With this new way of working, in which the community is involved and part of the project, the community sees it as theirs and they know they had to sweat for it to be a reality. This is one of the best ways to do a project because people see the importance in their role.”