Shift Philanthropy for Good

Listening drives change

A growing number of foundations want to increase their impact by listening, responding, and shifting power to the people and communities at the heart of their work. As a resource and engagement hub, Listen to Community is here to accelerate that change.

Listen to Community calls on funders to transform how they work: to build real relationships grounded in listening, so that people have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect them.

When funders fail to listen — exercising power over, not power with, and not building a community’s power — they weaken trust, miss crucial insights, and reinforce unjust systems. Listen to Community offers the inspiration, tools, and peer support for philanthropy to take a different path, improving efficiency, impact, and equity.

Let's Connect: Upcoming Events

Events

Come to our breakfast reception at the 2026 National Forum on Family Philanthropy

Thursday, Nov. 5, 8:00 – 9:00 am
Join us for a hearty breakfast with five of our superstar Ambassadors —Dimple Abichandani, Glenn Galaich, Ambar Hanson, Ricshawn Adkins Roane, & Melinda Tuan — on a panel, then at your tables for small-group discussions about ways funders can listen to shift power to impacted communities.

You’re also invited to our session on foundation governance later the same morning, and then to the lunch plenary with Melinda!

See you in Philadelphia!

Events

Join our session at the 2026 National Forum on Family Philanthropy

Thursday, Nov. 5, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
“Practices for Centering Community Voice and Leadership in the Boardroom” with our Lead Ambassador Melinda Tuan.

Drawing from our new resource, Community on Board: A Tool for Shifting Power through Foundation Governance, this session will engage participants in self-reflection, discussion, and trying on practices that support community-driven governance.

See you in Philadelphia!

Events

Join us at the 2026 National Forum on Family Philanthropy’s Lunch Plenary

Thursday, Nov. 5, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Enjoy lunch and a stimulating plenary, “Shifting Mindsets to Shift Practices,” moderated by our Lead Ambassador Melinda Tuan.

Featuring Hali Lee, Radiant Strategies, Santhosh Ramdoss, Gary Community Ventures, and June Wilson, Central Insights & Alliance for Relational Repair & Mutuality, the panel will talk about what it takes to change how philanthropy thinks and acts.

See you in Philadelphia!

Events

Welcome to Listen to Community — Let’s get to work!

November 10, 2026
2:00 to 3:00 pm ET

Join this free, interactive webinar to find out how Listen to Community can support your foundation’s efforts to listen in ways that can build community power — whether you are just getting started or are eager to deepen your practice.

Bring your questions and get ready to connect with peers working on their listening, too!

Events

A Deep Dive with Listen to Community: What We Mean by Community

Wednesday, December 2
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET

Foundations talk about “impacted communities,” but who exactly does that mean — and who decides? This session digs into the thinking behind Listen to Community’s power-shifting message, and how funders can gain clarity around their own definitions to better understand who they are accountable to and must involve in decision making.

Events