How nonprofits can tap into intermediary funding

Intermediary funding has become increasingly central to how philanthropic capital flows. Over the past decade and a half, many institutional funders have relied on intermediaries to manage complexity, pool resources, and collaborate across issue areas.

As the Center for Effective Philanthropy has noted, intermediaries are valued for their proximity to communities, efficiency, field expertise, and ability to facilitate collaboration among funders. Yet, for nonprofits, these opportunities can seem confusing or out of reach, as many intermediaries don’t post RFPs or report publicly on the grants they make.

How can nonprofit staff assess intermediary funding opportunities before investing time in pursuing them and, more importantly, build visibility and connections that can give them an edge?

What does an intermediary fund look like in practice?

Intermediaries may serve as re-grantors, manage pooled funds or collaborative funds, and offer technical assistance, convening spaces, capacity-building support, or shared measurement frameworks. In practice, they often shape not only how funding moves, but which organizations gain visibility, credibility, and access within a field. They may also provide fiscal sponsorship, program design and management support, or field-building services that connect large institutional funders and frontline organizations. Their wide range of roles may reflect a broader shift in the power dynamics in philanthropy.

Because intermediary funds vary in structure, authority, and expectations, how nonprofits engage with them also varies. Understanding how an intermediary fund operates and identifies grantees is a critical first step. While some issue calls for proposals, many identify potential partners through referrals, networks, learning communities, or relationships with funders and peers.

How should nonprofits approach intermediary funds?

The next question is how to approach intermediaries thoughtfully when there’s no formal application process.

Shift from application-first mindset to connection-first approach

Intermediary funding is more relationship-driven than transaction-based. In many cases, decisions are influenced well before any public opportunity is announced, if one is announced at all. That means it helps for your nonprofit’s connections, reputation, and participation in collaborative initiatives, learning communities, and networks to be visible.

Identify where intermediaries intersect with your work

Do you or your current funders participate in pooled funds or collaboratives, issue-area networks where intermediaries are active, or capacity-building initiatives that intermediaries support or co-design? By examining existing funder relationships, peer organizations, sector associations, conference agendas, and descriptions of collaborative initiatives, you’ll see where your organization already has a level of visibility and where it may need a boost.

Ask questions early

Early conversations with intermediary funds also provide an opportunity to ask questions and get clarity about alignment. You’ll find out how the intermediary typically identifies partners, what outcomes or field-level changes it’s trying to advance, and what types of organizations they tend to work with. As CEP’s research found, clarity and communication is particularly important in intermediary-grantee relationships, where expectations differ from traditional grantmaking.

By understanding expectations, timelines, and ways of working, nonprofits can make informed decisions about whether and how to pursue opportunities with the intermediary.

How can nonprofits successfully leverage intermediary funding?

Once you determine an intermediary fund may be a good fit, sustained visibility and realistic capacity planning will be essential to success.

Strengthen visibility where it matters

Because intermediaries rely on networks and referrals, nonprofits benefit from being visible in the places where intermediaries are already paying attention. This may include sharing organizational and impact data, participating in sector platforms or learning communities, and contributing to conversations about practice and outcomes. Reports, case studies, and grantee stories offer insight into what intermediaries look for.

Once an intermediary fund becomes aware of your nonprofit, it may look to verify its work, credibility, and track record, for example, by reviewing your website, organizational details, and funding history on Candid search, and/or publicly available filings through ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer. By ensuring these sources are current, accurate, and aligned, you help intermediaries form a clearer picture when deciding whether to initiate a conversation or invitation.

Working with an intermediary fund can have broader field-level benefits. For organizations that have been primarily locally focused, it can increase visibility in regional or national conversations. Intermediaries often convene funders, peer organizations, and field leaders, which can position participating nonprofits as credible contributors to shared learning and strategy. Over time, this visibility can lead to additional relationships, invitations, or support beyond the original intermediary opportunity.

Be intentional about organizational capacity

At the same time, it is important to be realistic about your nonprofit’s capacity to participate in collaboration, learning, and coordination that extend beyond program delivery. For some nonprofits, the learning, coordination, and reporting demands can exceed expectations, making early clarity essential. Before committing to exploratory conversations, convenings, or partnership discussions, check in with your colleagues about bandwidth and priorities. It helps to talk with an organization that has engaged with a particular intermediary about their experience. Being selective about where to invest time ensures organizations can follow through if opportunities materialize.

Intermediary funding is a relational and strategic engagement path that rewards visibility, alignment, and clarity about an organization’s role in broader field goals. By shifting from an application-first mindset to a connection-first approach, nonprofits can position themselves to be recognized and engaged by intermediaries when opportunities arise.

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