Episode 6: Silvia Bastante de Unverhau discusses funding systems change
Jul 27, 2020
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Silvia Bastante de Unverhau, a philanthropy expert, discusses funding systems change, emphasizing long-term partnerships, strategic planning, and supporting diverse initiatives. She explores funding criteria, impact measurement, and the importance of collaborative efforts for successful system-wide projects in areas like healthcare and education.
Co-Impact provides long-term, unrestricted funding for systems changing initiatives emphasizing collaboration and strategic development.
Successful systems change initiatives require transformative ideas, strong leadership, strategic coherence, and partnerships with supportive funders.
Deep dives
Supporting Systems Change Initiatives Through Long-Term Funding
Co-Impact, a collaborative philanthropic initiative, aims to invest significant amounts in systems changing initiatives. Their approach involves providing long-term unrestricted funding to organizations, focusing on collaboration, learning, and support for strategic and organizational development. By viewing supported projects as true partners, Co-Impact fosters trust, flexibility, and a commitment to shared outcomes.
Driving Systems Change Through Strategic Coherence and Adaptation
The success of systems change initiatives depends on transformative ideas, strong leadership, and strategic coherence. Social entrepreneurs need the space to develop their systems change thesis and continuously adapt their strategies. Having a clear focus on key outcome metrics, fostering a learning and adaptation approach, and forming effective coalitions are crucial for achieving meaningful and sustained impact.
Navigating Funders' Expectations and Building True Partnerships
Social change leaders are encouraged to engage with funders to negotiate supportive funding terms that align with their organizational strategies. They should prioritize partnerships with funders that provide flexible, long-term, and significant funding. Clear communication, reduced reporting burdens, and mutual respect are essential for fostering true partnerships that enable effective systems change.
Catalyzing Shifts in Philanthropic Funding for Systems Change
While progress is being made, there is still a need for more funders to embrace systems change funding models. Initiatives like the 'Embracing Complexity' report aim to create shared understanding among philanthropists, foundations, and social entrepreneurs on effective systems change funding principles. Encouraging dialogue, sharing best practices, and aligning funding practices with systems change goals will be key for catalyzing broader shifts in the philanthropic ecosystem.
Silvia Bastante de Unverhau is a leading expert in philanthropy, with over 20 years of experience working across the international development, non-profit, business, and government sectors. She is currently the Chief Philanthropy Officer at Co-Impact, a collaboration between donors that pledged 500 million dollars for systems changing initiatives.
In the interview, Silvia talks about the principles of funding systems change work, how it differs from traditional funding practices, and how foundations can adopt this new mindset. She also has tips for social entrepreneurs who are looking for funding for systems change work from a donor's perspective.
Key questions: How is funding systems change different? How should foundations support systems change?
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