Good Philanthropy is a Partnership
We believe the people closest to a challenge are essential to solving it. Our goal is to work alongside organizations and leaders who share that conviction.
We recognize that meaningful progress often requires both meeting immediate needs and addressing the underlying conditions that create them. We value work that responds to the challenges people face today while helping build the foundations for a healthier, more secure future.
We are drawn to thoughtful leaders and organizations with a clear understanding of the communities they serve, a compelling sense of what could be better, and a practical approach to making it happen.
We value work that addresses meaningful needs while considering their underlying causes; builds on existing efforts and relationships; and takes learning, accountability, and continuous improvement seriously.
We recognize the importance of both branches and roots: meeting immediate needs while working to address the conditions that allow challenges to persist. We are interested in efforts that connect these two, while recognizing that different organizations contribute in different ways.
We do not expect every idea to be perfect or every path to be straightforward. We value the ability to learn, adapt, and be honest about both progress and setbacks.
What We Look For
We aim to be deliberate in our giving, thoughtful about the resources we commit, and respectful of the time and effort involved in building a partnership. We will seek alignment between our priorities and yours rather than assuming every good idea is the right fit.
Above all, we want our involvement to be useful. Our hope is that working with us feels like working with people who care deeply about the work, respect your expertise, and are committed to learning alongside you.
How We Work
What you can expect from us
A relationship, not just a grant.
We want to understand your work, your context, and your ambitions. We aim to build relationships grounded in trust, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to progress.
Shared definitions of success.
We care about outcomes, not just activity. We hope to agree on what progress looks like, learn from evidence and experience, and adjust our approach when the facts point in a different direction.
Listening before prescribing.
We recognize that grantees bring expertise we may not have. We will approach our partnerships with curiosity, respect for local knowledge, and a willingness to challenge our own assumptions.
Flexibility where it matters.
We want funding to be useful. Where possible, we aim to give partners the flexibility to direct resources toward the needs and opportunities they are best positioned to understand.
Clarity and candor.
We strive to communicate openly, establish clear expectations, and offer honest feedback. We welcome the same in return, including when something is not working as intended.