{"id":4402231478572,"date":"2026-04-01T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.philanthropy.com\/?p=4402231478572"},"modified":"2026-04-01T11:00:35","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T15:00:35","slug":"opinion-ltetrust-0426","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.philanthropy.com\/letters\/opinion-ltetrust-0426\/","title":{"rendered":"Trust-Based Philanthropy Is Not on Trial"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Trust-based philanthropy positions funders as collaborators working alongside nonprofits to achieve shared goals. It is not, however, about boards ceding decision making entirely to communities, as a recent Chronicle of Philanthropy<\/em> article suggests (“Trust Based Philanthropy Lands in Court: the Winthrop Rockefeller Case<\/a>.\u201d)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By centering the plaintiffs\u2019 uninformed critique of trust-based philanthropy and reinforcing it with skeptical voices, the article mischaracterizes trust-based philanthropy and misleads readers into believing the approach is on trial. It\u2019s not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For boards embracing or considering trust-based philanthropy, there are several important factors to consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trust-based philanthropy benefits nonprofits and funders alike. <\/strong>A growing body of research, most recently from the Center for Effective Philanthropy<\/a>, highlights the importance of flexible, long-term support for nonprofit effectiveness. This cornerstone practice of trust-based philanthropy creates conditions for more honest conversations and mutual accountability between funders and grantees. In the process, it reveals information that helps boards assess progress toward key goals, clarify risks and strategy, and determine the best use of resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trust-based philanthropy operates fully within legal and fiduciary standards. <\/strong>Rather than a departure from compliance, trust-based philanthropy is an evolution in practice. Its principles have been examined by legal experts<\/a> and consistently found to align with nonprofit law, IRS regulations, and fiduciary duty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trust-based boards remain accountable and can focus more on what matters most.<\/strong> Framing this as a choice between trusting nonprofits and exercising oversight creates a false binary. Trust-based approaches do not outsource board responsibility. They help boards spend less time on transactional grant oversight and more on strategy, mission, and impact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trust-based philanthropy is no fringe movement. <\/strong>A 2025 study of philanthropic practice<\/a> by Grantmakers for Effective Organizations found that six in 10 foundations embrace trust-based philanthropy approaches. This reflects a growing recognition that it leads to better relationships and results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Winthrop Rockefeller case is ultimately a board power struggle, with trust-based philanthropy pulled into the narrative. The real question boards should be asking is not whether to trust nonprofits but how to govern well. That requires collaboration, rigorous and continuous learning, and a willingness to iterate based on real-world insight \u2014 guided by those closest to the challenges funders seek to address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shaady Salehi and Pia Infante
Co-Executive Directors
Trust-Based Philanthropy Project<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carrie Avery
Distinguished Fellow, National Center for Family Philanthropy
Former President, the Durfee Foundation\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A single lawsuit shouldn\u2019t be misread as a referendum on a philanthropic practice that’s legal, effective, and widely adopted.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":365392,"featured_media":4402231425042,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","cop_editorial_slug":"","cop_asana_id":"","editorial_asana_id":"","editorial_doc_id":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[190711],"issue":[],"profile":[],"role":[191051],"series":[],"topic":[191095],"coauthors":[190357],"class_list":{"0":"post-4402231478572","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"hentry","7":"category-letters","8":"role-giving","9":"topic-foundation-giving","11":"has-featured-image"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nTrust-Based Philanthropy Is Not on Trial – Chronicle of Philanthropy<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A single lawsuit shouldn\u2019t be misread as a 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