For many years, we have primarily provided single-year, project-based funding but we are increasingly recognizing the benefit of longer-term, undesignated funding. After a funding experiment with four partners, they shared that the consistency of general funding provided them with greater flexibility, the confidence to handle unexpected events, the freedom to dream and take risks, and the ability to build much-needed infrastructure.
We are applying the learnings from our five-year experiment to the rest of our granting activity. While short term, project based funding will continue to be part of how we grant, we continue to explore ways to come alongside organizations in a sense of mutual partnership. We know we are not alone in this shift away from traditional project based granting. There are many foundations and donors moving towards a more trust-based philanthropy model.