How To Foster Trusting Relationships With Grantmakers

Trust is the cornerstone of effective philanthropy. However, the traditional funder-grantee relationship can often feel transactional, especially if it is focused more on compliance than collaboration. Trust-based philanthropy offers a different approach, one that’s rooted in transparency, shared power, and mutual learning. By fostering two-way communication and collaboration, your nonprofit can build more trusting, resilient relationships with grantmakers. Notably, a 2024 survey revealed that 89% of grantmakers support or embrace trust-based philanthropy practices. Beyond strengthening relationships, this approach empowers nonprofits to be more responsive and innovative in their work.

Embracing these principles leads to smarter use of funds and greater impact. Let’s explore practical strategies to cultivate trust-based relationships so your nonprofit can drive meaningful change. Connect with impact investors before submitting proposals. Whether through a formal meeting or casual conversation, establishing these touch points early sets you up for successful applications later. Especially considering that grantmaking regulations are constantly evolving due to budget adjustments, these connections kickstart the relationships you need to stand out. FreeWill’s nonprofit grant writing guide suggests a few ways to start meaningful relationships, including:

To successfully secure funding, NGOs must first grasp the essence of the grantmaker’s mission and priorities. Each grantmaker operates with a specific vision, often rooted in their organizational values and goals. This understanding is crucial because it allows NGOs to align their proposals with the grantmaker’s objectives. For instance, if a foundation is dedicated to environmental conservation, an NGO focused on sustainable agriculture would be more likely to receive funding if it can demonstrate how its initiatives contribute to ecological preservation. Therefore, thorough research into the grantmaker’s past funding patterns, strategic goals, and areas of interest is essential. Moreover, understanding the grantmaker’s priorities extends beyond mere alignment; it involves recognizing the nuances of their funding philosophy.

Some grantmakers may prioritize innovative solutions, while others might focus on community-driven approaches. By tailoring proposals to reflect these preferences, NGOs can enhance their chances of success. Engaging with the grantmaker’s published materials, attending informational sessions, and networking with previous grantees can provide invaluable insights into what the grantmaker values most. This foundational knowledge sets the stage for a compelling proposal that resonates with the grantmaker’s mission. Building a personal connection with grantmakers can significantly enhance an NGO’s chances of securing funding. Establishing rapport goes beyond formal communication; it involves fostering genuine relationships based on mutual respect and shared interests.

One effective way to cultivate this connection is through networking opportunities, such as conferences, workshops, or community events where grantmakers are present. Based on survey responses from more than 400 nonprofit leaders and 200 foundation leaders from August to September 2025, this first look at the survey data offers a stark picture of the challenges facing... With increasing demand for the... Based on survey responses from 241 nonprofits and 243 foundations, “Voices That Matter” examines how foundations and nonprofits seek to learn and collect feedback from those they serve. The report explores if and how these practices have evolved over time and reveals... “Partnering for Progress” reveals feedback from nonprofit organizations worldwide that receive support from Europe-based funders.

By exploring similarities and differences between the experiences of nonprofit organizations with Europe- and U.S.-based funders, this... To grow their organizations and fuel mission-centric work, nonprofits need sustainable general operating revenue. However, reaching this level of revenue requires more than hosting a virtual event or launching a compelling email campaign. It takes diverse revenue streams yielding multi-year support, which is why many nonprofits turn to grants. Relationship-building lies at the heart of successful grant fundraising. Genuine, long-term connections between nonprofits and grantmakers lead to true partnerships rooted in a shared vision.

If you’re wondering how to establish (and maintain) the level of trust that unlocks sustained funding, the answer may lie in rethinking how your organization engages grantmakers through data and collaboration. Let’s review the practical ways your nonprofit can strengthen grantmaker alignment and trust. When scouring grant databases for funding opportunities or drafting a grant proposal, it’s easy to think of the grant application process as purely transactional. In exchange for your organization’s mission-centric work and thoughtful grant application, the grantmaker rewards you with much-needed funding. Shifting your perspective to view funders as long-term partners opens the door for deeper collaboration. When funders and grantees listen and learn from each other, they foster stronger alignment and trust that enables collective action.

Cultivating and maintaining relationships with funders is a continuous journey for many nonprofits. Building meaningful connections beyond financial transactions is crucial for long-term success, supporting program sustainability and strengthening community impact. By applying these strategies, nonprofits can build sustainable partnerships that advance their missions. Nonprofits must align with funders who share their values and goals while fostering partnerships that can evolve and strengthen over time. This article explores strategies for deepening these relationships, enabling nonprofits to secure lasting support and amplify their mission’s impact through proven approaches and actionable insights. Understanding what motivates funders—be it alignment with the mission, impact, or personal connection—is the foundation of building and maintaining strong funder relationships.

Nonprofits can gain this insight through funder surveys, one-on-one conversations, and reviewing past grants. Knowing what drives funders significantly enhances a nonprofit’s ability to develop cultivation and stewardship strategies that transform a funder from a contributor to a committed partner. The journey from transaction to true partnership requires a proactive and strategic approach to engagement. This involves strategies that resonate with funders both collectively and as unique constituents. One of the easiest ways nonprofits can achieve this is by tailoring communications and interactions to reflect the specific interests and values of the funder. This may be highlighting initiatives, programs, or projects that resonate with where they desire to make an impact or through communications that demonstrate the tangible outcomes their contributions have helped to achieve.

Regular updates, impactful storytelling, and transparent reporting are crucial steps in building and maintaining strong relationships. Seeking feedback from funders on their preferred communication style or areas of interest can further enhance engagement. By keeping funders informed and engaged, a nonprofit increases the likelihood of renewed support and, in many cases, a sustainable funding source. Strategic personalization is also a key element of this process. A blanket approach to cultivation and stewardship is unlikely to create meaningful relationships with funders that grow and extend beyond the transaction of their gift. Inviting funders to participate in the day-to-day activities of the organization, offering them opportunities to engage directly with the recipients of their support, and allowing opportunities for them to be thought partners in the...

Events and gatherings of all sizes also provide excellent platforms for deepening funder relationships. These gatherings, whether virtual or in-person, provide excellent opportunities to not only deliver updates but also celebrate what has been achieved together. Building trust through accountability is key to maintaining and growing relationships with funders. Funders must trust that nonprofits will utilize their contributions in manners that are fiscally responsible and as intended by the funder. Transparency in how funds are managed builds credibility and reassures funders their investments are making a measurable difference. Nonprofits can earn this trust through honest reporting that demonstrates both successes and challenges, maintaining honest upfront communication about setbacks and shifts, and bringing the funder into the conversations as needed to address challenges...

Meeting deadlines for reports and grant deliverables further reinforces a nonprofit’s reliability and commitment. Building strong relationships with grantmakers is essential for nonprofit success. While securing funding is a primary goal, fostering genuine partnerships with grant funders can lead to long-term support, collaboration, and shared impact. Grantmakers are more than financial backers—they are mission-aligned partners who invest in organizations that reflect their values and priorities. If you’re looking to strengthen your connections with funders, here are six key strategies to consider: Before reaching out to a grantmaker, take the time to thoroughly research their mission, funding priorities, and past grant recipients.

Review their website, annual reports, and 990 tax forms to understand their giving patterns. Tailor your approach to demonstrate alignment between your organization’s work and the grantmaker’s interests. Successful relationships with funders don’t begin and end with a grant application. Attend funder-hosted webinars, networking events, and panel discussions. Engage with them on social media, comment on their posts, and share relevant updates that showcase your organization’s impact. Establishing a connection before submitting a proposal increases your credibility and recognition.

When you initiate contact with a funder, resist the urge to immediately ask for money. Instead, introduce your organization, share your mission, and express your interest in learning more about their funding priorities. Ask insightful questions about their grantmaking philosophy and areas of interest. This approach fosters a more authentic and collaborative relationship. Building relationships with grant funders is one of the most effective ways to strengthen your nonprofit’s fundraising strategy. Whether you’re reaching out to a private foundation, corporate giving program, or community fund, starting that relationship can feel daunting—especially for introverts.

And, it can be intimidating to reach out to grant funders that are invitation-only. But as you’ll see below, it’s not really complicated. You’re getting to know the funder, and they’re getting to know you. Grantmaking (and fundraising in general) is all about relationships. While email and video calls have their place in the professional world, in-person meetings and phone calls provide the human touch that can initiate and continue relationships. There are nuances we see and hear in these settings that don’t come across online.

However, we’re increasingly working online (hey, I work remotely!), and as we spend more post-pandemic time at home than in public settings, we might start to get shy about reaching out to other people,... I call myself a socially functioning introvert: I can act like an extrovert in the moment, but it will wear me out, and I need time to recover after lots of people time. I found that, after the deepest parts of the pandemic, my extrovert muscle had gotten weak. I had to start over again exercising that muscle! So, here’s an introvert’s guide to building relationships with grant funders. I’ll share practical tips and a simple conversation guide to help you confidently initiate the conversations you’ve been putting off.

Even if you’re an extrovert, you’ll benefit from having this step-by-step guide to reaching out to funders. I usually feel like a broken record when I emphasize how much relationships matter in the grant world. You’ll likely also hear from many fundraisers that the best grantmaking isn’t transactional but rather about building partnerships. The strongest partnerships are founded on shared priorities and visions for the future. By establishing and maintaining a relationship with your grant funders, you’re helping them see how your work aligns with their philanthropic strategy. It is particularly critical to build relationships with private foundations and corporations.

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