The under-resourcing of leadership transitions is harming nonprofits led by individuals who come from the communities they serve.
All too often, we see funders adopt a “wait and see” approach when a grantee partner organization is considering, planning and undergoing a leadership transition. Yet this is precisely when greater funding for strategic visioning, equitable transition processes, and robust infrastructure is needed most. In particular, incoming leaders who come from the communities they serve and first-time executive directors acutely face this trust gap. We want to radically change this approach and work to catalyze a broader cultural and practice shift within philanthropy.
Our vision around better leadership funding practices is grounded in centering grantees and their needs before, during and after their executive transitions, and in supporting the time and space for boards, executive leaders, staff and constituencies to self-determine the leadership and institutional structures that are best suited for them and their missions.
Healthy leadership transitions are vital for thriving organizations and movements and must be abundantly resourced to be truly transformational.
These principles guide our work:
Leadership Transitions are Healthy and Necessary to Build Resilience
Leadership transitions are a normal and healthy part of the organizational lifecycle. When fully supported, they can be moments of growth, clarity and long-term resilience.
Funders can:
Invest before, during, and after transitions, supporting leaders, staff and boards through change, capacity-building and knowledge transfer.
Supporting Leadership as Acts of Courage
Stepping into nonprofit executive leadership is a bold act of courage, especially now. Funders must step up in public and private ways to back the people and missions they believe in.
Funders can:
Celebrate incoming and outgoing leaders, elevate their impact, and encourage peers to fund transitions, not fear them.
Center & Support Leaders From Community
Leaders who come from the communities they serve are often asked to lead organizations in moments of challenge, and face the steepest barriers.
Funders can:
Invest in the leadership and wellbeing of these executives by supporting coaching, peer learning, retreats, and stronger organizational infrastructure.
Embrace Experimentation and Innovation during Transitions
Transitions create space to reimagine what’s possible. But without strong infrastructure, organizations can’t take advantage of that opportunity.
Funders can:
Resource experimentation, sustainable structures, and leadership pipelines so organizations can lead boldly through change.
Collaborate to Strengthen Ecosystem
Healthy transitions are a shared responsibility. When funders align their support, organizations can move forward with clarity and strength.
Funders can:
Collaborate with peers, coordinate funding, and join learning spaces to strengthen the ecosystem for all.
To unlock our full principles, tools to operationalize them, our funder resource hub, upcoming events, past perspectives, and more.⬇️