Trust-based philanthropy in practice: What it looks like day-to-day

Many lean funders describe their approach as trust‑based—but what does that actually look like in day‑to‑day practice?

This session will move beyond theory to explore how trust‑based philanthropy shows up in the everyday mechanics of grantmaking, including applications, due diligence, reporting, learning and relationships with grantees and boards. The focus is practical and grounded in participants’ lived experience: what’s working, where trust feels hardest to apply, and how trade‑offs are managed in small, resource‑constrained teams.

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This session is part of the Lean Funders Peer Learning Circle — a small, ongoing peer group for staff of small private and family foundations (typically organisations with one or two staff).

Unlike larger Peer Networks or one‑off events, the Circle is deliberately limited in size and designed for consistent participation. Members commit to regular attendance, creating a trusted space for honest, experience‑led discussion about the practical realities of grantmaking in lean teams.

If you are a PA member who is a lean funder and is interested in becoming an ongoing member of this Learning Circle, please contact Peer Network Lead, Mary Chackola.