Assess

Take the Funder Compass to see where you are on your journey to becoming a Better Ancestor in philanthropy

Photo Credit to Jordan Madrid

What is the Rooted Philanthropy Funder Compass?

The Rooted Philanthropy Funder Compass is a tool to help funders and intermediaries know how they are doing in shifting their culture, relationships, and practices along the funding cycle; in changing their internal mindsets, policies and processes towards becoming Better Ancestors in philanthropy, and in using their collective power, wisdom and assets to advance a flourishing, just and abundant world together.

The Compass helps funders and intermediaries determine where they are on their path to change and where they want to go, choose their priorities, decide on their immediate, intermediate and long-term steps, and assess their progress within their organization and with grantees and communities.

How is the Compass structured?

The Rooted Philanthropy Funder Compass has 3 inter-related modules that can be taken separately, in any order or in succession.

Module 1: Changing ourselves

Transforming funder and intermediary mindsets, policies and processes

Changing from within – our understanding of our own history and story as part of philanthropy
Changing together – our readiness, relationships and power dynamics as a funder or intermediary
Changing our outcomes – what we value and hold ourselves accountable for, who we hold ourselves accountable to, how we know we are doing well, and who gets to decide
Changing for fairness – creating fairness in the grantmaking process
Changing our systems – our own narratives, policies and investments as funders and intermediaries

Module 2: Changing our world

Using our collective power, wisdom and assets to advance a flourishing, just and abundant world together

Changing from within – our understanding of the history and stories of communities experiencing inequities
Changing together – our relationships and power dynamics with grantees and communities
Changing our outcomes – who gets to decide what is valued, what change is prioritized and resourced and how we decide in communities experiencing inequities
Changing for fairness – creating the conditions for all people and places to thrive
Changing our systems – changing narratives, policies and investments in communities and society

Module 3: Wheel of Practical Powerful Change

Concrete changes funders can make across the grant cycle

Conscious relationships
Collaborative funding priorities
Co-designed grants
Flexible eligibility criteria
Co-developed communication
Widely publicized grant opportunities
Support for grant applications
User-friendly submission platforms
Transparent selection processes
Timely notification and feedback
Options for unsuccessful applicants
Simple grant agreements
Manageable grant terms
Upfront grant disbursement
Learning-focused reporting

Who should use the Compass?

The Rooted Philanthropy Funder Compass is for philanthropic and intermediary organizations of varying kinds, sizes and contexts.

They could be:

Major donor organizations,

Family foundations,

Sector-specific grantmakers,

Philanthropy networks,

Donor advisors, fiscal sponsors,

DAFs, intermediary networks,

Or social impact investors.

The Compass can be used by specific teams or individuals within these organizations, including but not limited to:

CEOs, Board members,

Decision-makers responsible for grantmaking and investment portfolios,

Grant managers or administrators,

Program teams and officers,

Relationship managers,

Communication teams,

Finance and accounting teams,

Evaluation and audit teams,

Community liaisons.

The online assessment makes it easy for a group of people to take the Compass together, learn from diverse perspectives and chart a path forward together.

Using the Compass

Take the Compass

Remember: there is no right or wrong answer. You can choose IDK for ‘I don’t know’ or NA for ‘Not applicable’ for any questions you feel unable or unprepared to answer, or that are not relevant.

Talk it through

If you take the Compass as a group (recommended), discuss questions for which you might have a difference of 4 or more in your scores to understand each other’s perspectives. Arrive at a common score based on your conversation.

Set goals and chart a path forward

Situate where you are on your change journey. Identify priority areas to work on based on the assessment questions and develop an action plan for change. Decide on your timeframe and hold yourself accountable.

Assess

Assess your progress every 3-6 months for the priority areas you chose. Take the Compass at least once a year to guide your progress to becoming a Better Ancestor.