Older adults
We believe those closest to an issue are best positioned to define older adults in their community. People's experience of aging is based on lived experience. When people of color, people with disabilities and people who face systemic barriers grow older, a lifetime of inequities accumulate and exacerbate health disparities.
Trust-based philanthropy
The principles and actions promoted by the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project are rooted in advancing equity, shifting power, and building mutually accountable relationships. We are expanding our practice of trust-based philanthropy to put our values into action. Examples of trust-based practices include giving multi-year, unrestricted funding and simplifying administrative paperwork. We will demonstrate our commitment to this practice through humility and collaboration, keeping community relationships at the center of what we do.
System change
System change is an intentional effort designed to alter the status quo by shifting the function or structure of an identified system with purposeful interventions. It is a journey which can require a radical change in people’s attitudes as well as in the ways people work. This can include policies, routines, relationships, resources, power structures and values.
Policy and advocacy
Support for policy and advocacy advances solutions prioritized by community. These efforts must include diverse people with lived experience impacted by the issue(s), People affected by the issue should be informing plans, and the impact should contribute to increased equity.
Activities should align with strategies likely to change policies, regulations and systems, such as the formation of coalitions and networks; the generation of solutions; education and information for the general public, decisionmakers and media; collaboration with government officials and agencies; and effective implementation of policy changes.
Advocacy also includes deliberate actions and strategies to build community voice and participation in decision-making processes. This can include relationship building, organizing community members, educating the public and decision makers, forming networks or coalitions, communication campaigns and more.
Capacity-building
Capacity-building should be driven by what an organization says it needs. It invests in a nonprofit’s ability to deliver on its mission effectively and efficiently over time. (Council of Nonprofits). Capacity-building includes developing and strengthening skills, instincts, abilities, processes and resources that organizations and communities need to survive, adapt and thrive. (United Nations). Examples include professional development, improving volunteer recruitment, creating a communications strategy, consultation for strategic planning, evaluation.