Power of Vulnerability: How Funders Can Build Authentic Partnerships with Communities and Each Other

Funders are often expected to have all the answers, but real impact happens when they listen, learn, and collaborate with communities and fellow funders. The best partnerships don’t result from top-down decision-making—they come from honest conversations, shared struggles, and a willingness to rethink funding.

In this session, Magic Cabinet and the STRONG Funder Collaborative members will share our experiences, including what worked well, where we faced challenges, and what we are still learning. By being open about our own challenges, we aim to create a space for honest conversation with attendees so they can share their experiences in building lasting, participatory, and trusting relationships with grantees and fellow funders.

Once we have created this space of open conversation, we will invite attendees to engage in the “Funding Puzzle Wall.” Attendees will write down a challenge they face (whether in their funding approach or how they receive funding) and get real-time ideas, feedback, and solutions from speakers and others in the room. This interactive exercise will help attendees connect, gain new insights, and explore ways to incorporate a collaborative approach to their funding relationships.

This session is for attendees who want to:
Move from transactional grant-making to genuine, community-driven relationships
Learn how openness and honesty lead to stronger partnerships
Discuss with fellow funders and community members how leverage experience and resources for greater impact