Ashoka
Funding Systems Change Tools
The Funding Mechanisms Spiderweb is a visual exercise which helps foundations reflect on their funding mechanisms across 12 different dimensions of the funding cycle. Its main purpose is to make funders more aware of the choices behind existing or potential funding mechanisms, so they can better understand the implications of those choices, and support the exploration of new ideas by broadening the spectrum of options.
The Systemic Mindset: 17 Guiding Questions for Funders is intended to help in the review of strategies and working methods of foundations already working on systemic impact. The questionnaire can be used when launching a strategic process or as a self-assessment exercise, at either the level of the foundation as a whole or of one of its programs. It is split into four categories that reflect different aspects of foundations’ work: vision and impact, partnerships and feedback, roles and positionality, and assessment and learning. It is available in English, German and French.
The Funding Systems Change Glossary is a foundational resource which provides definitions and examples of some of the key concepts of funding systems change and in the philanthropic sector.
Additional Resources
List of Partners
Oak Foundation
Oak Foundation is family-led and reflects the vision and values of its founders. In all its work Oak pursues rights-based approaches, gender equality and partnership with the organisations we fund. They support civil society as a pillar of democracy and justice and nurture innovation and visionary leadership within it. Oak values diversity both within Oak and among our partners; they seek to be inclusive, flexible and engage with different points of view. Oak believes that the best grant-making reflects both careful due diligence and the willingness to take risks.
Oak Foundation
Oak Foundation is family-led and reflects the vision and values of its founders. In all its work Oak pursues rights-based approaches, gender equality and partnership with the organisations we fund. They support civil society as a pillar of democracy and justice and nurture innovation and visionary leadership within it. Oak values diversity both within Oak and among our partners; they seek to be inclusive, flexible and engage with different points of view. Oak believes that the best grant-making reflects both careful due diligence and the willingness to take risks.
Stiftung Mercator Schweiz
The Stiftung Mercator Schweiz is committed to an open, solidary and ecologically sustainable society that offers everyone fair opportunities and opportunities to help shape things.
collaboratio helvetica
They create spaces for open dialogue, experimentation & collaboration to co-create the Switzerland we want to live in. Together.
Schwab Foundation for Entrepreneurship
In partnership with the World Economic Forum, the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship is a leading global platform that accelerates outstanding models of social innovation. Working together, we help scale solutions to support millions of vulnerable and low-income people in need.
Schwab Foundation for Entrepreneurship
In partnership with the World Economic Forum, the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship is a leading global platform that accelerates outstanding models of social innovation. Working together, we help scale solutions to support millions of vulnerable and low-income people in need.
