Turn on your headlights.
That’s the advice Britt Lake, CEO of Feedback Labs, and Melinda Tuan, Managing Director at Fund for Shared Insight gave in an op-ed for the Center for Effective Philanthropy in February, urging funders to seek clarity in this moment of upheaval by listening to grantees and communities
In the months since, many funders have told us they agree that listening can help illuminate their road ahead. They know listening is essential in moments of upheaval. But they’ve also shared that they’re uncertain about how to listen well right now.
They worry about what happens after listening. What if they have to say “no” to grantees or communities when the needs are urgent and the resources limited? They worry that asking for input could burden grantees already stretched thin. And in today’s polarized environment, some worry that deep listening might surface conflicting viewpoints within communities or feedback that challenges their foundation’s values.
These are all important concerns, and the good news is funders are already finding ways to address them. That’s why Feedback Labs wrote Listening in this Moment: A Guide for Funders — to compile the practical guidance, resources, and real-world examples that can help answer the most pressing questions we’ve been hearing from funders:
- How do I listen quickly in moments of upheaval? When the environment shifts rapidly, quick listening cycles are invaluable. The guide shares approaches that help funders gather timely feedback without sacrificing quality.
- How can I listen without burdening grantees or communities? Listening shouldn’t add stress to already overextended partners. The guide outlines low-burden and high-value approaches that respect nonprofit time and community context.
- How do I protect the safety of the grantees and community members I’m listening to? Nonprofits and marginalized communities are increasingly under threat. The guide lays out how funders can protect listening data and create safe listening channels for those most at risk.
- How should I listen in polarized communities? Funder listening should invite honest sharing while staying true to your values. The guide shares strategies for engaging when perspectives diverge, not with the intent to eliminate polarization but to navigate it with intention.
- How should I listen when my plans are uncertain or not public? Even when funders don’t have all the answers, it’s possible to invite input without setting unrealistic expectations. The guide outlines approaches for leading with transparency and building buy-in for listening with your colleagues, leadership and board.
The Listening in this Moment guide is available now, free to read online or download as a PDF. For funders who want a more personalized entry point, Feedback Labs is offering brief, complimentary one-on-one calls to help you identify the resources and examples that will help you listen in this moment of uncertainty.
And for those who’d like to go deeper, we’ll be hosting a three-part webinar series in January featuring additional tools and experiences from both funders and nonprofits that are navigating these challenges.
We recognize that this moment feels complicated, and the philanthropic sector faces a convergence of crises. It’s understandable that many funders feel cautious about listening when so much feels uncertain. But that uncertainty is exactly why listening matters now more than ever. It’s how we see the road ahead, together.
