Philanthropisms Kate Symondson: Family Foundations, Grantmaking & Next Gen Philanthropy
Jun 6, 2024
In this discussion, Kate Symondson, Head of Philanthropy at the Symondson Foundation, dives into the intricacies of family foundations and trust-based funding. She shares insights on balancing personal and strategic charity while addressing the power dynamics between funders and grantees. Kate also explores the unique characteristics of next-gen philanthropists, urging collaboration across generations. With an eye towards equity, she emphasizes the importance of a flexible, nuanced approach to grantmaking and the value beyond mere monetary contributions.
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Foundation Began As Family Shift
- Kate describes the foundation becoming a formal foundation about three and a half years ago when she became Head of Philanthropy.
- That change moved family giving from reactive charity to a replenishing, strategic funding model.
Sector-Agnostic Funding Enables Flexibility
- The foundation stays sector-agnostic to fund intersectional and complex needs rather than narrow single-issue work.
- This flexibility reduces red tape and lets them fund underfunded, complicated spaces more effectively.
Lower Barriers With Short Intake Forms
- Use simple intake tools like a short 'tell us about you' form to reduce barriers for underfunded groups.
- Combine that with funding via aligned grant-makers to discover smaller organisations without onerous applications.