Trust-Based Philanthropy: Resourcing Change Through Relationships, Flexibility, and Shared Power
Trust-based philanthropy offers a transformative alternative to traditional funding models—centering flexibility, transparency, and deep relationships to better serve the organizations and movements driving social change. In the face of shrinking aid, burnout, and complex global challenges, this approach is not only more equitable—it’s essential.
This session will explore how collaborative funding mechanisms, intermediary organizations, and networked approaches can help operationalize trust-based principles at scale. We'll discuss how this model supports the wellbeing of social impact leaders, strengthens collective action, and enables grantees to focus on impact rather than compliance. Participants will share practical tools, lessons learned, and bold ideas for embedding trust, flexibility, and shared power into the heart of philanthropy.
Key Questions:
What does it take to truly practice trust-based philanthropy, beyond rhetoric?
How can intermediaries and collaborative funds help shift the power dynamics between funders and grantees?
In what ways does trust-based funding support leader wellbeing, innovation, and long-term impact?
How do we build trust-based networks that drive collective action and systemic change?
What are the challenges and opportunities in scaling trust-based models across diverse funding ecosystems?
This session is for funders, intermediaries, nonprofit leaders, and ecosystem builders ready to move from intention to implementation—transforming how we fund, collaborate, and lead for lasting change.
Session Co-Leaders:
Michelle Zhang is Senior Manager of Global Engagement at the Yidan Prize Foundation, working to elevate transformative education solutions worldwide.
Talia Milgrom-Elcott is the founder and executive director of Beyond100K and Starfish Institute, leading efforts to solve systemic challenges in STEM education and social impact leadership.
Joy Morozov leads PhilanthroPower, building trust-based, impact-driven partnerships across sectors including health, climate, education, and disability.