Leading a community-based organization can feel isolating, especially when tough decisions need to be made and there’s no safe space to think them through. This tool explores how funders can step into a meaningful role: showing up as a sounding board. This simple yet powerful practice can strengthen leaders, organizations, and the partnerships between them.
Sounding board support isn’t about giving unsolicited advice or steering strategy. It’s about listening with intention, building trust, and holding space during moments of change, growth, or challenge.
In this resource, we share:
🔹 What it means to be a sounding board.
🔹 Why this kind of support matters, especially for grassroots leaders.
🔹 5 simple practices to help funders show up with presence, not pressure.
🔹 A real example from our partners at Equal Community Foundation.
Click here to access the full tool:
