We’re in this together. Funders, grantees, and community. And while the dynamics of power and privilege exist, the values of collaboration, transparency, and responsibility define good philanthropy. At the Better Way Foundation, we work alongside grantees and listen to their visions and challenges, which is ongoing, muscle-building work. We think holistically about partnership because, ultimately, grantees and funders depend on one another to advance our collective missions.  

We can all relate to shifts in strategic funding priorities. Perhaps one or both parties have reached completion, or a new funding priority may feel more novel or urgent. Unfortunately, instances in which grantees are left in a lurch, scrambling to supplant funding are all too common. Grantees typically commit profound professional and personal capital to improve communities and can experience a revolving door of funders with little to no communication or input about how long the “partnership” will last.

This has contributed to the nonprofit sector calling for increased transparency and funder accountability with grantmaking processes and decisions (so grantees can focus more on the work, less on chasing after grants). As the National Center for Family Philanthropy launches new tools rooted in its Guide for Effective Family Philanthropy, we are excited to learn from them and share our journey.

Better Way is a small family foundation focused on building better futures for children and families through early childhood education. We support community-based, culturally grounded organizations in the United States and Tanzania to help children reach their full potential. Our grantee partnerships move through a six- to nine-year cycle during which we nurture relationships that includes deep understanding of the communities that partners serve. These relationships and the trust built have proven essential when making funding decisions from across the globe with a family-majority, mostly white board.

During our six- to nine-year partnerships, we provide multi-year grants and are:

  • Adaptable with long-term project plans and reporting requirements
  • Clear and consistent about what partners can expect from us and what we expect from them
  • Accessible and responsive
  • Continually seeking and utilizing partner and community feedback
  • Committed to funding the real cost of the project with no arbitrary cap on “indirect” or “overhead” costs, as well as funding for organizational success such as technical support, strategic planning, and evaluation
  • Looking to grantees to articulate strategic objectives and desired success and impact
  • Committed to connecting connect partners with other funders and networks

Read the full article about funder responsibility by Nicholas Banovetz at the National Center for Family Philanthropy.