Trust-Based Philanthropy
Learning Cohort
Drive trust-based change at
your foundation through:
Compelling speakers + galvanizing case studies
Action-planning for your unique context
Catalytic peer support + deep connections
SOLD OUT
Trust-Based Philanthropy 9-month
peer-leader learning cohort
Data-driven best practices and peer
support to implement trust-based principles
Informed by CEP’s decades of research on the drivers of effective grantmaking and funder-grantee dynamics, this Learning Cohort will help you lead your organization in implementing trust-based philanthropy practices. Connect with a supportive group of peer leaders while you deepen your knowledge of trust-based philanthropy principles, troubleshoot barriers at your foundation, set and achieve goals, and create change at your foundation.
This peer-leader learning cohort will include seven virtual sessions between October 2022 and June 2023. Sessions will include data-based best practices, case examples, guest speakers, and structured time for participants to set goals, discuss implementation challenges, and receive peer support.
Engage with a group of supportive peer leaders
Implementing ideals of trust-based philanthropy in your grantmaking can be difficult. Change can be easier when done with a supportive group of peer leaders tackling similar challenges. CEP’s learning cohorts emphasize peer-to-peer learning and connection. In these virtual sessions you will engage with a consistent small group of peer leaders to foster deep connections and learn from each other’s challenges and successes. Participants will be encouraged to set concrete goals for their foundation, and to support and hold each other accountable in pursuit of these goals over the 9-month program.
Learn from CEP’s deep roots and practical know-how
The Center for Effective Philanthropy has been a driving force in the movement towards more trust-based, mutual, and transparent practices in grantmaking for over two decades. CEP’s research has resoundingly shown that funders who prioritize transparent and responsive relationships with grantees, and who operationalize trust through their grantmaking structures and approaches, receive higher ratings from grantees regarding their perceptions of a funder’s impact on organizations — and the issues and communities grantees and funders seek to help. Every day, CEP staff work to raise up the voices of grantees and to encourage funders to adopt data-backed philosophies and practices of trust-based philanthropy. Learn more about CEP’s deep roots in trust-based philanthropy.
Session Dates and Content
This Learning Cohort will begin in October 2022 with two half-days of immersive sessions to ground participants in the principles of Trust-Based Philanthropy, CEP research, and to get to know your peer participants. Subsequent sessions will take place in January, March, and June of 2023.
Sessions in Detail
2022 Kickoff Immersive: Introduction to TBP Principles and Your Peer Network + Deep Dive on Multi-year General Operating Support (MYGOS)
12:30-2:00pm Eastern Session 1: Kickoff and Introduction to TBP
- Understanding and Unpacking Trust-based Philanthropy Principles
- Peer cohort introductions: Your journey and interest in TBP
3:00-5:00pm Eastern Session 2: Relationships Matter
- What does CEP data tell us about the importance of trust-based grantmaking?
- Guest Speaker: Austin Long, Senior Director, Assessment and Advisory Services, Center for Effective Philanthropy
- Small groups: What does TBP currently look like at your foundation? What areas for growth do you see?
12:00-2:00pm Eastern Session 3: Multi-year General Operating Support (MYGOS): Why?
- CEP research on multi-year general operating support
- Guest Speaker: Elizabeth Clay Roy, CEO, Generation Citizen
- Small groups: MYGOS in the context of your foundation
3:00-5:00pm Eastern Session 4: Multi-year General Operating Support: How?
- Addressing common barriers
- Guest Speaker: Mailee Walker, Executive Director, Claneil Foundation
- Small groups: Discussion and peer-supported action planning — set specific goals for your organization
2022 November-December: Break for Individual Reflection and Implementation
2023 Continued Sessions and Implementation Supports
3:00-5:00pm Eastern: Respectful Selection Processes
- TBP principles “Do the Homework” and “Simplify and Streamline”
- Operationalizing equity and inclusion in your selection process
- CEP research findings on what makes or breaks a positive selection process
- Guest speaker on helpful, streamlined processes
- Small groups: Discuss selection processes at your foundation; progress check-in on MYGOS goals; set selection process goals.
3:00-5:00pm Eastern: Learning-Oriented Reporting Requirements
- Reporting in the context of MYGOS
- Guest Speaker: Philip Li, President & CEO, Robert Sterling Clark Foundation
- Small groups: Discussion and progress check-in
3:00-5:00pm Eastern: Capstone Nonmonetary support and capacity-building
- Strengthening grantee organizations
- Guest Speaker: Yolanda Coentro, President & CEO, Institute for Nonprofit Practice
- Progress updates, celebration, and momentum!
Calendar Quick Look
| Date | Pacific | Mountain | Central | Eastern | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | |||||
| Session 1: Intro to TBP Principles and Peers | October 18 | 9:30-11am | 10:30am-12pm | 11:30am-1pm | 12:30-2pm |
| Session 2: TBP Funder-Grantee Relationships | October 18 | 12-2pm | 1-3pm | 2-4pm | 3-5pm |
| Session 3 MYGOS: Why? | October 20 | 9-11am | 10am-12pm | 11am-1pm | 12-2pm |
| Session 4 MYGOS: How? | October 20 | 12-2pm | 1-3pm | 2-4pm | 3-5pm |
| 2023 | |||||
| Session 5: Respectful Selection Processes | January 19 | 12-2pm | 1-3pm | 2-4pm | 3-5pm |
| Session 6: Learning-Oriented Reporting | March 30 | 12-2pm | 1-3pm | 2-4pm | 3-5pm |
| Session 7: Capstone Nonmonetary Support | June 8 | 12-2pm | 1-3pm | 2-4pm | 3-5pm |
About CEP Learning Communities
Through learning cohorts, CEP helps foundations and foundation staff deepen their knowledge, improve their practice, and ultimately strengthen their personal and organizational impact.
Guest Speakers
Mailee Walker
Executive Director
Claneil Foundation
Elizabeth Clay Roy
CEO
Generation Citizen
Philip Li
President & CEO
Robert Sterling Clark Foundation
Austin Long
Senior Director
Assessment and Advisory Services, Center for Effective Philanthropy
Yolanda Coentro
President & CEO
Institute for Nonprofit Practice
Check back for updates on additional speakers!
SOLD OUT
Who can sign up?
This program is a peer-based learning cohort for senior leaders at philanthropic funders seeking to implement trust-based principles and practices. Participants will be highly motivated to set concrete goals for their foundation, and to pursue those goals in the context of a peer-accountability network. Participants should hold responsibility for influencing/implementing strategic decisions at their foundation. Contact CEP if your role doesn’t match this description but you’d like to be considered.
| Standard cost | $6,200 |
Discounts for groups of 2+. Contact CEP to request a $1,000 per-person discount code if you plan to join with team members from your foundation.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Amber Bradley
Director, Assessment and Advisory Services
Email Amber
