SUMMARY

We define a clear mission to guide our giving, focusing our attention where “[our] deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” Through learning, discernment, and design, we create a set of theses to help us direct our resources to the most strategic activities and opportunities. Instead of responding to emotional appeals or trusting in our own wisdom, we pray for our work to be the servant of a prophetic imagination, recognizing that God’s plan for the world far exceeds our own vision. 

 

REDEMPTIVE OPPORTUNITIES

1. We actively cultivate our own attention to the problems that break our heart and the opportunities and models that bring us joy, recognizing that the gifts of emotion and curiosity should deeply inform our giving. 

2. We spend concerted time listening to people in the communities we seek to serve through our capital, uncovering the dominant trends, forces, and stories driving the need or opportunity. 

3. We persistently ask God to reveal his imagination for each issue and community we’re addressing and for the faithful resolve to pursue aims that many may find impractical. We leverage our capital in ways that expand the imagination of others, encouraging nonprofit leaders to press into a greater vision of what’s possible.

4. We write and share a brief, clear mission statement to guide our giving across all opportunity areas, articulating the missional aims of our capital (our desired cultural, social, or environmental impact) as well as the key principles for how we will work. We read this mission statement frequently and share it with all decision makers and stakeholders, reinforcing the purpose of our funding.

5. To further direct our giving choices, we establish a set of future-looking theses outlining our key strategies to achieve the impact we seek. These statements integrate our personal listening and discernment with expert research and reading. Each one builds an account of inspirational models, case studies, and cross-disciplinary thinking that will most likely lead to transformation if funded. 

6. Informed by our theses, we identify the types of organizations we seek to fund and those we will not. This helps us articulate the parameters of our funding, ensuring that we honor nonprofit leaders’ time and energy.