Meeting the moment with trust-based philanthropy 

Nonprofit organizations across the spectrum are experiencing significant turmoil at this moment. Between federal funding rollbacks, executive actions, political and social upheaval, and significant uncertainty, the future of the social sector hangs in the balance. Nonprofits are trying to keep their doors open, protect themselves, and be responsive to various contradicting requests (and demands) from funders and stakeholders—all while serving and supporting the most vulnerable populations and communities.  

We’re hearing these concerns in conversations with nonprofit leaders, in numerous LinkedIn posts transparently sharing struggles, and in data collected from nonprofit research. We’re seeing a plea for philanthropy to meet the moment—to step up, to not turn away from commitments previously made, or priority areas that now seem at risk. We’re witnessing nonprofits across all impact areas and geographies not hearing from their funders and feeling abandoned and in the dark. We’re hearing critiques of preemptive compliance and proactive surrender (such as funders canceling equity-related funding, or removing buzzwords from websites). Nonprofits are facing new risks, heightened demand, and a need to reimagine their work in a dramatically different environment.     

How can philanthropy help meet the moment? 

The trust-based philanthropy movement has always been designed around funders supporting and partnering with nonprofits, and with these urgent calls, this moment is no different. It is because of this urgency, and the reticence and uncertainty nonprofits have been experiencing from philanthropy, that we launched Meet the Moment: Call to Action for Philanthropy in 2025 (and Beyond).  

Co-sponsored by the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, and the National Center for Family Philanthropy, this call to action lifts up the need for collective and collaborative movement. While private philanthropy cannot fill all of the federal funding gaps, it can play a key role in supporting the stability, resilience, and reimagination of the social sector.  

What is ‘Meet the Moment’?  

The Meet the Moment Call to Action is a signatory commitment for funders to do everything in their power to be responsive and supportive. It outlines what it looks like to be a trust-based, values-aligned partner during this time. The commitment has three sections:

Move in Solidarity with Nonprofits points to the need for funders to be relational and supportive to their grantee partners during these uncertain times. With recommendations aligned with the six practices of the trust-based framework, such as offering support beyond the check, being transparent and responsive, and connecting with nonprofit partners and other funders, these recommendations get at the heart of the trust-based ethos.  

Mobilize Money in a Trust-Based Way acknowledges the various financial challenges many nonprofits are facing and outlines how funders can meet those needs responsively, including by providing multiyear funding (ideally four years or more), unrestricted funding, rapid-response funding, gifts instead of grants, and flexible and/or reduced grant requirements.  

Nurture Possibility & Innovation offers ways for funders to collaborate with nonprofits to reimagine how we work together, both in exploring different funding structures, prioritizing convening and connecting, and supporting big dreams and “big bets” for innovative paths forward. This section acknowledges the uncertainty of the road ahead and encourages innovative collaborative thinking to support the journey.   

Why sign on to ‘Meet the Moment’? 

Based on what we’ve heard from signatories, funders are committed to standing by their communities and are working to navigate the evolving landscape. Some already practice trust-based philanthropy and believe the new commitment will help improve their work—both as individual organizations and collectively.  

“The mobilize money section gave me pause, but I’m up for the challenge, e.g., increasing our spending rate,” said one signatory. “I hope that nonprofit organizations feel supported by philanthropy and more funders push themselves to grow in TBP. I plan to encourage fellow regional funders to sign the commitment and decide how we want to collectively stand in solidarity with our nonprofit community.”  

Others were responding to data showing that nonprofits felt abandoned because philanthropy has been slow to act. “Some of the silence from us hasn’t been about fear or abandoning, it’s more about HOW are we going to respond—and being committed to principled response. At no point was it about retreating,” wrote one signatory. “It’s painful to know that so many nonprofit leaders feel alone and left to fend for themselves. I hope this commitment will help show nonprofits that philanthropy is still on their side.”   

How can funders and others get involved? 

To date, more than 135 grantmakers have signed on to the commitment. Whether you are a grantmaker committed to meeting the moment, or a non-grantmaking organization endorsing this call to action, this is an opportunity to lean into collective action, and to get connected to the peer organizing efforts we are convening as part of the larger mobilizing strategy for signatories of this commitment.   

To share more about what we’re seeing and hearing and how philanthropy is responding, we’ve been holding a series of virtual events. The monthly programs uplift stories of funders working to fulfill parts of this call to action, while supporting and partnering with their grantees. You can find more details and register here.   

Signatories and supporters can publicly share how you are meeting the moment via your social media and other communications channels, so we can promote it. Many funders appreciate the shared lessons and examples being lifted up, so be sure to tell your story!  

We hope you feel inspired to meet the moment and join this collective work! As one signatory recently shared, “If we can’t meet the moment during our lifetimes, I honestly don’t know what we’ve established this foundation and grown it for.”  

Photo credit: PeopleImages via Getty Images