Ask. Listen. Trust: A Different Way to Think About Giving

When you care deeply about a nonprofit, it’s natural to want your gift to make a difference. You may have a particular program in mind or an idea of exactly how you would like your charitable dollars to be used.

But sometimes, one of the most meaningful things a donor can do is ask a simple question:

What do you need most?

The answer may be different from what you expect.

A food pantry may have plenty of food on its shelves but need resources to repair a roof. A youth organization may have funding for programs but need additional staff to serve more children. Another nonprofit may be facing an unexpected expense or see an opportunity to expand its work.

The people closest to the work often have valuable insight into where resources can make the greatest difference.

Giving nonprofits room to respond

This idea is part of an approach often called trust-based philanthropy, which focuses on strengthening relationships among donors, funders, nonprofits, and the communities they serve.

One element is unrestricted giving. It's charitable support that gives an organization flexibility to use resources where they are needed most. Multi-year support can offer similar flexibility by helping nonprofits plan beyond the next program or grant cycle.

But trust-based giving isn't simply about writing an unrestricted check. It's about listening, learning, and recognizing that nonprofits bring expertise to the table. It's also about creating relationships where organizations can be open about their successes, challenges, and changing needs.

Trust doesn't mean giving without asking questions or understanding how resources are being used. Instead, donors and nonprofits can share information, learn from one another, and build a relationship around a common goal: creating meaningful impact.

Start by asking

You don't have to adopt a particular philanthropic philosophy to bring more trust into your giving. The next time you connect with an organization you care about, consider asking:

• What do you need most right now?
• Would an unrestricted gift provide more flexibility?
• Would a multi-year commitment help you plan ahead?
• What challenges or opportunities are you seeing?
• Are there ways I could help beyond a financial gift?

Sometimes the answer may be a particular program. Other times, the organization's greatest need may be something you hadn't considered. Either way, you've started a conversation.

Generosity can go beyond the check

Supporting an organization can also mean sharing your time, expertise, or connections.

Maybe you can introduce its leadership to someone in your network. Perhaps you have professional experience that could be valuable. You might volunteer, serve on a committee or board, advocate for its work, or simply help more people understand its mission.

These forms of support can strengthen the relationship between a donor and an organization while helping nonprofits build capacity for the future.

Where GMCF fits in

At the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation, our mission is to build relationships between donors and community needs.

Because we work with nonprofits throughout our region, we can help donors learn more about organizations addressing the issues they care about, better understand community needs, and discover opportunities they may not have encountered on their own.

We can also help donors think through how they want to give. That might mean supporting a specific project, providing flexible funding, making a longer-term commitment, or using a donor-advised, or other charitable, fund to organize giving over time.

You don't have to know exactly where or how you want to give before starting the conversation. Sometimes it begins with listening.

Ask. Listen. Trust. Then let what you learn help guide your generosity.