Trust-Based Collaboration

I recently had the opportunity to attend the United Way’s OpportUnity Summit, a gathering of leaders, thinkers and changemakers from across the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. One of the standout speakers was Vu Le, author of the boldly insightful blog Nonprofit AF.

Vu’s speaking style is not for the faint of heart. He speaks with urgency, honesty, and just the right amount of humor. At this event, one of his most repeated phrases was a passionate “BS!,” his response to outdated questions about nonprofit overhead.

He shared a memorable analogy: Imagine a building is on fire, and firefighters are running in to save lives. Now imagine someone stopping them to say, “I only want to fund the water you’re using, not the hose. Also, could you break down the water-to-hose ratio before you go?”

It’s laughable, but it’s also strikingly familiar to anyone working in nonprofit fundraising. These kinds of conversations, though well-meaning, often miss the point. Of course, we want to be transparent and show the impact of every gift; we’re incredibly proud to do so. But what truly propels our work forward is trust, and trust-based philanthropy allows us to focus our energy where it’s needed most.

When funders believe in the mission and trust leadership to make wise, strategic decisions, nonprofits thrive. The people closest to the work are best positioned to decide where time, energy, and resources will have the greatest impact.

At Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia, we’ve been fortunate to experience this kind of partnership. Just a few months ago, we had the profound honor of celebrating a transformational gift from the Haines Family Foundation. As they sunset their foundation, the Haines family is making bold, lifetime investments in the organizations they believe in.

Holly and her family were practicing trust-based philanthropy long before it had a name. Each year, she would check in with us, not to ask for a formal proposal, but to learn about our work and our goals. Based on that trust and understanding, the Foundation would make a generous gift that directly supported our evolving needs.

As they complete their sunset process, the Haines Family Foundation has committed an extraordinary $3.5 million to Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia, a gift structured entirely around our own articulation of future needs and vision. It’s an investment not just in what we’re doing today, but in what we’re building for tomorrow.

Another powerful example of trust-based giving came in 2022 when we received a $5 million unrestricted gift from MacKenzie Scott. There were no applications, no reporting requirements, and no follow-up calls. Just trust. That gift allowed us to keep building and repairing homes through the second half of the pandemic. It enabled us to retain our team, expand our capacity, invest in critical technology, and establish financial reserves that helped us weather uncertainty and plan boldly for the future.

We’re incredibly grateful for the trust our donors offer us every time they make a gift. These stories aren’t just about dollar amounts; they’re illustrations of what’s possible when philanthropy is rooted in trust. In the past eight years, we’ve tripled our budget, doubled our staff, doubled our new home construction, and, within just the last three years, doubled our home repairs.

This is the power of trust-based philanthropy: it fuels transformational growth, grounds us in purpose, and ensures that community-led solutions are driven by those doing the work. Thank you for walking alongside us, believing in our mission, and investing in what’s possible. Together, we’re building something truly extraordinary.