Funders Meet Funders
Expanding Our Thinking and Reach
We invite endowed funders to join us in exploring bold, innovative approaches that go beyond traditional philanthropy—approaches that can significantly enhance the effectiveness and reach of our grants. Our group encourages members not only to think big but also broadly. As we confront the greatest social sector crisis of our time, we challenge each other to ask:
- How can we expand our reach to support far more people and communities?
- Beyond our individual grantmaking, how can we contribute to strengthening the entire social sector?
Three examples of how different levels of engagement in broad approaches can drive meaningful change:
- Big, Transformative Thinking
With nearly 10 million nonprofit and for-good organizations worldwide, imagine if a few ultra-high-net-worth funders joined forces to launch a three-year initiative. After conducting research and assessing needs, the decide, as examples, to connect vast numbers of these organizations to platforms that improve their abilities to:
- Conduct extensive research to understand their needs
- Leverage AI and other technologies effectively
- Build partnerships or collaborate
- Merge organizations when beneficial
- Strengthen fundraising and social media strategies
- Improve overall operational efficiency
- Mid-Scale, High-Impact Action
As government resources significantly shrink, a group of funders could work together to dramatically increase global giving and highly skilled volunteerism. Even a modest but coordinated effort could unlock new pools of needed resources for the sector.
- Smaller, Targeted, and Affordable Intervention
As AI capabilities grow, so does the digital divide. Imagine if a group of funders pooled resources to provide AI literacy and digital skills training to leaders of networks—each supporting hundreds or thousands of organizations—helping them better train and support their communities.
These are just examples. Members are encouraged to convene to come up with the most impactful, transformative solutions together.
The Funder-to-Funder Infrastructure Group
We are a diverse collective of endowed private and foundation funders committed to exploring expansive, high-impact funding practices—at all levels. The Funder-to-Funder Infrastructure Group is proud to have engaged representatives from the Gates, Hilton, Ford, Mott, eBay, and Flora Family Foundations in our discussions.
This year, we will convene on pressing topics to enhance our collective capacity to address emerging threats to the social sector. Upcoming discussions include:
- Strengthening U.S.-based policy and advocacy organizations
- Expanding access to ethical AI training
- Other key issues identified by our members
Regardless of whether they want to find out more, explore options, or engage actively, all endowed funders are welcome to join us. Together, through expansive, far-reaching funding approaches, we can push the boundaries of what funders can achieve!