Why Better Funding? 

In this short video, co-founders Mae Ardón and Emily Bild share the origins of Better Funding — what brought them together, why this work matters now, and what they envision for the future of philanthropy.

    What led us to creating Better Funding? 

• We shared a similar career trajectory, working in donor-facing roles in community-based organizations. We experienced first-hand that traditional funding models limit the sustainability of grassroots organizations and limit innovation, which is contrary to what philanthropy is aiming for.
• Working together at GoPhilanthropic Foundation, we had the opportunity to explore more trust-based relationships and co-create partnerships with grantees. When GoPhilanthropic closed down, our partners expressed concern about losing a funder that supported their sustainability and well-being. This led us to realizing how we could contribute both through our experience and through our global network of people interested in this system’s change.

    Why do we want to spread Better Funding practices?

• The name ‘Better Funding’ evolved from a desire to strip away the jargon in the sector and keep the messages very simple and positive; from an understanding that we do not have all the answers, but instead it is about us learning together and improving our practices wherever we are starting from.
• We know there are great funding practices out there and that many innovative funders are doing very exciting things, and we want to be able to gather and share those examples globally.

    Why is this important now?

• On one side we are seeing the recent disruptions in international aid and the challenges that has brought, and then on the other hand we have possibilities, because we are seeing philanthropy already evolving, power imbalances being challenged and different models critiquing traditional philanthropy. The combination of these factors makes it perfect timing to contribute towards the sector through Better Funding.

    How will we collaborate with other philanthropy initiatives?

• We are excited to see a growing movement calling for trust-based philanthropy globally  and we want to complement that and explore how and where we can add value. There are now a lot of strong arguments about WHY trust-based philanthropic is needed, but still a gap in terms of HOW. We have identified a need for real life examples, experiences and case studies on how to build trust-based relationships with partners; what accountability looks like in trust-based relationships.

    What would success look like?

• Success would look like genuine allyships between funders and community based organizations, and the adoption of co-created, trust-based and equitable practices with communities. More sharing and learning together from all over the world.

    What can we expect from Better Funding?

• A space where funders can share examples of what works and where grassroots organizations can share examples of funding practices that truly support their organizations to grow and thrive. We will be sharing insights as well as practical tools that people can adapt and implement. We recognize that change does not happen in isolation so collaboration will be at the core of the project. Better Funding is not about us, it is about building a community of practice and a global learning space where people can connect and find a community.

    Please get in touch with us and share your ideas – let’s build Better Funding together!