Phil Li — Trust Puts You in a Learning Stance

A powerful thing happens when philanthropists demonstrate humility through listening and respect - they earn trust. Trust allows funders to learn how they can support grantees to do bold, ambitious work. Trust also builds relationships with partners who are essential to advocacy and systems change. Phil Li, one of the country's foremost champions of a trust-based approach to philanthropy, explores how power dynamics undermine trust, and offers first steps to building strong, mutually beneficial relationships with grantees.


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Bio: Phil is president of the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, which aims to create a more just and vibrant New York. Previously, he worked on Wall Street and ran a nonprofit. Phil serves on the board of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations and was board chair of Philanthropy New York.