Leveraging Salesforce for Trust-Based Philanthropy

We recently returned from the 2026 PEAK Grantmaking Conference in St. Louis, and one theme in particular stood out to us: foundations and grantmaking organizations are focused on trust-based philanthropy and reducing the administrative burden on grantees so they can focus on their mission. As Salesforce implementation partners, Fíonta knows how grantmaking software supports trust-based philanthropy. This happens by reducing administrative burden on nonprofits through pre-filled applications, streamlined reporting, and automated disbursements. As a result, grantees spend less time on paperwork and more time delivering programs.

At PEAK, we heard a lot of feedback from grants managers and foundation staff:

• “We were collecting so much information in applications and post-award reports that we never did anything with.”
• “We would review grant report data once a year and not revisit it.”
• “We paused requiring extensive reporting during COVID, and our grantees loved it, so we did not bring it back.”

Trust-based philanthropy provides a framework for grantmaking organizations to reduce the number of hoops they require nonprofits to jump through for funding. Consequently, this leads to better relationships and less paperwork for funders and grantees alike.

Why Now?

At PEAK, we heard from grantmakers and grantees alike that trust-based philanthropy is the future of grantmaking. The critiques of traditional philanthropy and funder-grantee dynamics, especially heightened in the post-pandemic era, necessitated a change in how grantmakers approach their work. Furthermore, the trust-based philanthropy model and its six essential practices provide a framework for foundations. These foundations are committed to shifting the power imbalance between funders and grantees. In addition, they work in partnership toward a more just and equitable future.

What is trust-based philanthropy? 

According to the Technology Association of Grantmakers (TAG), “Historically, grantmaking systems and operations have been designed with a specific customer in mind: the grantmaker. Trust-based philanthropy invites users to approach grantmaking operations with a different customer in mind: the grantseeker.”

The six practices of trust-based philanthropy (from the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project) are:

Give multi-year, unrestricted funding

Many traditional grants come with restrictions, such as requiring grantees to spend down the entire grant in one year or only use the funds for program costs and not administrative costs, such as staff salaries. However, multi-year, unrestricted funding allows nonprofits to effectively perform their important work without timeline or purpose restrictions imposed by funders. When grantmakers trust their grantees to use the grants in the ways and timing they choose in order to further their mission, the dynamic between funders and nonprofits becomes more equitable.

Do the homework

Too often, nonprofits have to complete extensive requirements to even get an invitation to apply for a grant, let alone receive funding from grantmakers. Foundations might require grantees to submit letters of intent (LOI) to apply, provide years of financial details, or host site visits for funders before they are considered for grants. Importantly, trust-based philanthropy shifts the research burden from grantees to grantmakers, especially in the pre-application stage of the process.

Simplify and streamline paperwork

There is a reason that many nonprofits have grantwriters and grants contract managers on staff – the paperwork associated with applying for and receiving grants is a full-time job. In traditional philanthropic processes, grantees are asked to submit mountains of paperwork, from LOIs and eligibility questionnaires to multi-page applications, cover letters, supporting documentation, budgets, post-award reports, and narrative essays about how they used the funding. In a trust-based philanthropy model, funders look for ways to simplify and streamline paperwork. For example, they remove unnecessary steps in the process. Additionally, they ensure that any “paperwork” required is online, accessible, and can be completed quickly and efficiently by grantees. 

Be transparent and responsive

In traditional philanthropy, there has been no real impetus for grantmakers to be transparent and responsive with their grantees. Foundations held all the power (and money), and nonprofits were expected to be extremely transparent and responsive to funders without expecting that same dynamic in return. Now, trust-based philanthropy means that grantmakers communicate openly, honestly, and in a timely manner with nonprofits. This is done in order to develop real relationships with grantees.

Solicit and act on feedback

Nonprofit grantees have not always had a voice in traditional philanthropy. Funders developed their own grantmaking processes that grantees were expected to follow, and there was no avenue for collecting feedback from those most impacted by grantmakers’ decisions. However, foundations that adhere to a trust-based philanthropy model create space for grantees to provide feedback and act on it. Incorporating grantee feedback into philanthropic practices makes the grantmaking process easier for nonprofits. In addition, it contributes to the ongoing refinement of the grantmaker’s vision and mission.

Offer support beyond the check

In traditional philanthropy, funders’ support of their nonprofit grantees generally began and ended with the disbursement of grant funds. Trust-based philanthropy means that grantmakers offer support to their grantees beyond monetary funding. For instance, they help to develop capacity and leadership. They also facilitate industry connections or serve as a trusted partner with whom to workshop ideas or strategy. Thus, offering support beyond the check results in relationships between grantmakers and grantees that go beyond transactional to true partnership.

Agentforce Nonprofit for Trust-Based Philanthropy

Agentforce Nonprofit for Grantmaking supports trust-based philanthropy through its flexible data model, customization options, powerful automations, and AI features.

• Salesforce’s AFNP Grantmaking data model supports multi-year, unrestricted funding through funding awards, budgets, and budget allocations.
• The 360-degree view of grantee organizations, staff, relationships, and interactions supports relationship building between funders and nonprofits. Moreover, it allows grantmakers to easily perform due diligence and other research activities.
• Flexible grant application and report templates simplify and streamline the paperwork burden placed on nonprofits.
• Foundation staff can communicate openly and transparently with grantees through Salesforce’s native email capabilities, automated emails, or Slack integration.
• Feedback can be solicited and acted upon through automations, integrations, or AI agents
• Agentforce Nonprofit for Grantmaking is designed to scale with your business processes, meaning that as you deepen your trust-based philanthropy practices, the grantmaking software can support your growth 

Fíonta has been implementing grantmaking software and building grants management functionality for our last 20 years as a Salesforce partner. The Agentforce Nonprofit for Grantmaking platform is uniquely suited to support the needs of grantmakers now and into the future. Furthermore, Fíonta’s deep expertise with grantmaking implementations makes us the right partner for foundations prioritizing a trust-based philanthropy approach. If you’d like to learn more, check out our grantmaking case studies on our website or reach out through our contact form.