Effective philanthropy starts with recognising that communities themselves are best placed to identify what they need most. Yet too often, funding priorities are shaped by funders rather than by local realities, leaving organisations unable to respond to the challenges they face on the ground. This practice explores how funders can adopt more responsive approaches that strengthen impact by listening to partners, embracing flexibility, and trusting local expertise.

Inside, you’ll find ten practical ways to make funding more responsive, from supporting unrestricted funding and organisational health to building flexibility into grants and responding quickly to emerging crises. The practice also includes a real-world example from GoPhilanthropic Foundation, illustrating how these approaches can be put into action to better support communities and the organisations working alongside them.

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