Bridge. Catalyst. Co-Creator.

Where We’re Starting

Future Funders is in research and discovery mode — listening, learning, and reimagining with foundations and proximate leaders to identify what’s needed most.

The Challenges We’re Tackling

FOR Foundations

  • Generational shifts are coming fast — yet many boards lack a diverse, future-ready pipeline to lead with credibility and care.

  • Without proximate voices at the table, foundations risk losing touch with the communities they serve, weakening trust and impact.

  • It can be hard to honor tradition while adapting to new realities. Many foundations need strategies that preserve history but embrace bold change.

  • Leadership homogeneity can limit perspective and momentum; diverse, proximate leaders bring renewed energy and insight.

  • Without leaders rooted in place, foundations may overlook regional needs and opportunities that could strengthen their relevance.

FOR LEADERS

  • Traditional philanthropic pathways often exclude proximate leaders, making it difficult to access board and CEO opportunities.

  • Even with deep community and professional expertise, proximate leaders are often overlooked in favor of elite pedigrees.

  • Too often, leaders of color are invited to the table symbolically rather than empowered to lead with vision and autonomy.

  • There are few transparent or trusted routes for proximate leaders to enter foundation leadership, leaving potential untapped.

  • Proximate leaders often face isolation in their journeys. Strong mentorship, peer networks, and pathways into philanthropy are essential to sustain their vision and amplify their impact.

Our Pillars

  • Leadership Pipeline

    Matching bold vision with proximate leadership.

    We cultivate and connect a network of proximate leaders — strategists, systems thinkers, and movement builders — who bring fresh insight and lived experience. From CEO placements to trustee appointments, we expand access to the pluralistic leadership philanthropy needs now.

  • Strategic Advisory

    Aligning values with action. Building trust from within.

    We support boards and executives in turning equity intentions into practice. By aligning values with governance, operations, and talent, we strengthen institutional effectiveness while deepening trust with communities.

  • Institutional Transformation

    Reimagining leadership and legacy.

    We help family foundations modernize governance, evolve grantmaking, and create leadership structures that are relevant, responsive, and representative of the communities they serve. Institutional transformation ensures foundations don’t just adapt to change — they help shape it.

Future Funders Ten-Year Roadmap

Working with our network partners, Future Funders will position 2,000 proximate trustees and CEOs into family foundations by 2035 — reimagining who leads, and how philanthropy delivers impact.

    • Define impact strategy and success metrics

    • Assemble Founders Table of cross-sector advisors

    • Launch website and brand platform

    • Open BIPOC Talent Pool database

    • Begin outreach to proximate leaders and family foundations

    • Secure founding partners and seed funding

    • Publish first sector insights brief

    • Launch pilot programming for proximate leaders

    • Co-design readiness tools with foundations

    • Begin first board and CEO placements

    • Collect early impact data and feedback

    • Secure multi-year institutional partnerships

    • Expand recruitment and placements nationally

    • Deepen mentorship and foundation partnerships

    • Launch alumni community and peer-support network

    • Introduce public dashboard tracking progress

    • Host inaugural Future Funders Summit

    • Scale placement systems through regional hubs

    • Launch innovation lab for governance and culture redesign

    • Introduce digital leadership development platform

    • Evaluate three-year outcomes and publish learnings

    • Partner with philanthropy networks to embed the Future Funders model

    • Publish equity benchmarks and leadership standards

    • Launch Foundation Pledge for Pluralistic Governance

    • Expand policy advocacy and narrative change campaigns

    • Place first 1,000 proximate leaders into trustee and CEO roles

    • Normalize pluralistic leadership across partner foundations

    • Demonstrate systemic change in governance practices

    • Scale placements to reach 2,000 leaders by 2035

    • Strengthen cross-sector alliances to sustain the pipeline

    • Institutionalize pluralistic leadership standards across philanthropy

    • Cement systemic change in who leads and how decisions are made

    • Publish Future Funders Decade Report highlighting impact, lessons, and next frontiers

HELP SHAPE A NEW ERA OF PHILANTHROPY

FOUNDATIONS

Future-proof your organization. Modernize leadership and governance without losing your identity.

LEADERS

Step into boardrooms and CEO roles where your lived and professional experience drives systemic change.