April 27, 2016 | Read Time: 2 minutes
The power dynamic between grant makers and grantees can create a divide between foundations and charities. In two videos produced by Exponent Philanthropy — the latest in a series — program officers and other foundation staff share ways in which foundations and other philanthropists can help bridge that gap. Their suggestions include being open with those they fund and acknowledging grantees’ expertise about their work.
In the first video, titled “Who Knows More?,” Miguel Milanes, vice president of Allegany Franciscan Ministries in Palm Harbor, Fla., explains: “We may have money, but that doesn’t make us smarter or wiser. It’s the folks who are dealing with these very challenging and deep social issues on a daily basis. They’re the ones who really have their ear to the ground, who really are informed — and very smart — and can teach us … how to do our job.”
The second video in this installment, titled “Being Transparent,” features grant makers discussing how they maintain openness with grantees — and why it is important. They believe more grant makers should adopt this approach, and some say they share their evaluation criteria with applicants even when they’ve been rejected. Sharing that information helps foundations stay accountable and build trust, they say.
Jessica Gonzalez, a program officer at Allegany Franciscan Ministries, explains that she discusses with grantees the reality that “our funding is not always going to be around. That conversation is always hard.”
Some grantees believe these conversations, although difficult, help them prepare for the future. They view each opportunity for dialogue as a way to build capacity. George Goehl, executive director of National People’s Action, says, “I can think of examples in a bunch of different cities where people actually built stronger organizations because they had that conversation.”
This is the fourth installment in a monthly video series in partnership with Exponent Philanthropy, previously known as the Association of Small Foundations. You can also see this video on the Philanthropy Lessons website.
