If you run a business, you know that success relies on the talent of your team. You hire experts because they have the skills to meet your goals. You provide the tools they need, offer guidance and then let them do what they do best. In the world of philanthropy, our grantmakers and philanthropists are looking for that same level of success. They want to know their gifts are making a real difference in Arizona.
At AZ Impact for Good, we see a growing trend among our members. It’s called trust-based philanthropy. This approach is not about lowering standards; it is about changing how we work together to get better results.
Moving Beyond the Paperwork
For a long time, the standard way for philanthropists to give involved many steps. To be good stewards of their funds, grantmakers asked for complicated applications and frequent reports. While this comes from a place of responsibility and tradition, it can sometimes create a heavy load for the organizations receiving the help. A nonprofit might spend dozens of hours on a single grant application. When those hours add up, it means less time spent on their actual mission.
Trust-based giving offers a more streamlined path. By shifting some of the administrative tasks, we can help our nonprofit partners focus on what they do best: serving our community.
The Practical Case for Trust
Trust-based philanthropy relies on a few core ideas that make giving more efficient for everyone. According to the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project, these steps help build stronger bonds between those who give and those who receive.
First, think about multi-year, flexible funding. When a nonprofit knows they have support for three years rather than one, it can plan for the future. It can hire the right people and try new ways to solve old problems. This flexibility is a key part of staying adaptable in a changing world.
Second, grantmakers can take on the “homework.” Rather than asking a nonprofit to explain its history, funders can look at public records or talk to other community leaders, then cater their questions to the “why” to determine the best capacity to help. This can show your dedication to the nonprofit’s time and builds a sense of teamwork from the start.
Third, simplify the reporting process. Many of our grantmaker members use short phone calls or simple check-ins to stay updated. This allows for honest conversations about what is working and where things might need to change. A conversation that builds connection can sometimes help you as a grantmaker more than a report that may only live on your desktop until the next grant cycle.
Arizona Leaders in Collaboration
Arizona has many examples of funders who are leading with this spirit of partnership. The Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust has shown a deep commitment to supporting the people who lead our nonprofits. Through efforts like the Piper Fellows program, it provides resources that help leaders grow, acknowledging that a strong leader is the heart of a strong organization.
The Arizona Community Foundation also works to make giving easier. it acts as a helpful guide for philanthropists, helping them find great causes while making sure the process is smooth for the nonprofits involved. Plus, the Vitalyst Health Foundation uses “Spark Grants” to support new ideas quickly, showing that trust can lead to fast and effective change.
The Burton Family Foundation (signature sponsor of Arizona Gives Day 2026) emphasizes a “relational philanthropy” model that prioritizes the creation of a “trust-rich” environment where nonprofit partners feel safe to innovate and even fail. By moving from a “you/me” to a “we” dynamic, the foundation seeks to rightsize power imbalances and reduce the administrative burden on grantees. Its approach centers on “doing the homework” to understand a partner’s needs deeply, ensuring that funding provides the psychological safety necessary for leaders to pursue bold, systemic change.
“If the relationship is built on mutual trust, then there is an opportunity to learn more about the current needs and challenges being faced … We believe in innovation and taking risks … It is near impossible to ask partners to take big risks if they don’t believe they are safe to do it.” —Burton Family Foundation
The Flinn Foundation integrates trust-based principles through its commitment to “inclusive excellence” and its signature “5 C’s” framework: convene, collaborate, catalyze, communicate and consensus-build. This strategy moves beyond traditional check-writing by positioning the foundation as a long-term steward and co-creator alongside Arizona’s bioscience, arts and civic leaders. By valuing candor and “truth over harmony,” the foundation fosters transparent relationships grounded in mutual accountability and a shared dedication to improving the state’s quality of life.
Efficiency through Shared Goals
When you trust a partner, you save time. You move away from checking boxes and move toward checking results. Trust allows for more transparency. When a nonprofit feels like a true partner, it can be open about its challenges. This gives philanthropists a much clearer view of where their money can do the most good. It turns a transaction into a long-term relationship.
A Community Event: Arizona Gives Day 2026
We can see this spirit of community in action every year during Arizona Gives Day. In 2026, the biggest online day of giving for Arizona nonprofits falls on April 7.
This is an ideal moment for everyone to get involved. For nonprofits, the time to register is now. Go to AZgives.org to sign up and start sharing your story. For businesses and philanthropists, this is a chance to show your support. Whether you share a post on social media or make a gift to a favorite cause, you are helping to build a more resilient Arizona.
Supporting a nonprofit through Arizona Gives is a great way to practice trust-based giving. You are providing the flexible funds that allow these groups to respond to the needs of our neighbors right away.
Final Thoughts
Trust-based philanthropy is a way to make our state’s generosity go even further. It respects the expertise of our nonprofits and the dedication of our grantmakers. By working as true partners, we can find better solutions and build a brighter future for everyone.
Mark your calendars for April 7, 2026. Let’s show the world what Arizona can do when we work together with trust and shared purpose.
