What We're Reading: Earning & Extending Trust: Lessons from First-Time Grantmakers

"For over 15 years, Sahar and I worked in proximity to one another as impact producers; strategists who lead campaigns to maximize the reach and impact of social issue documentary films...As impact producers, our role was to connect documentary films with people and organizations that could leverage the films to shift perceptions, behaviors, resources, legislation, narratives and power," said Sonya Childress for Medium. "Both Sahar and I shared a belief in the transformative power of film, and a deep respect for the artistry of filmmakers. We also felt deep accountability to the communities who would be most affected — positively or negatively — by nonfiction work."

"Before we launched in January 2022, we looked at the six grantmaking practices of Trust-Based Philanthropy and did an audit of the design of our programmatic and grantmaking plans. At every turn we asked ourselves: Will our processes communicate trust and honor the organizational leaders we aim to support?"

  • Give multi-year, unrestricted funding
  • Do the Homework
  • Simplify and streamline paperwork
  • Be transparent and responsive
  • Solicit and act on feedback
  • Offer support beyond the check

"We have already learned a great deal from our first round of the Organizational Grant Program that offers 2-year unrestricted funds. We invited proposals from close to 50 eligible organizations out of approximately 120 applicants, and with the support of a Review Committee and our Advisory Board, we awarded grants to 17 organizations."

"We have already learned a great deal from our first round of the Organizational Grant Program that offers 2-year unrestricted funds. We invited proposals from close to 50 eligible organizations out of approximately 120 applicants, and with the support of a Review Committee and our Advisory Board, we awarded grants to 17 organizations."

"As applications rolled in, we were shocked by the number of legacy organizations in our field that had yet to receive significant philanthropic support. Just as the research showed, organizations with decades of experience nurturing, training and championing filmmakers of color still had to make the case for the impact and value of their work."

"What we have learned from our first year of operation, and our first round of funding, is that Trust-Based Philanthropy is more than a superficial check-list. Trust, respect and accountability are values that show up in every part of an organization’s DNA, and just as we work to extend trust, we work even harder to earn it."

Read the full article here.