There is increasing recognition of the need for systemic transformation, if humanity wishes to persist. But how will we resource such systemic transformation? The funding field is structured to apply project- and program-based interventions, not systemic solutions. Furthermore, the field is embedded in the existing economic system, which provides its foundational resources as well as its ongoing financial returns, such that transformational ambition requires navigating entrenched conflicts of interest. 

The question arises: how does the funding field transform itself in order to fund systemic transformation? This question points to the central role of governance in triggering transformation. Robust governance focused on transformation applies both to funding organizations and initiatives, as well as fundee organizations and initiatives. Grassroots initiatives are seeding the soil for structural transformation in the funding arena, and leaders in the field are taking first steps of self-exploration. This Blueprint seeks to identify the current state of play and current ambitions in funding and governance, as well as gaps between these and necessary transformation, with the goal of providing robust recommendations for filling these gaps in order to transform the field and the broader systems it seeks to influence.  

The primary focus will be on the funder / fundee relationship, and its impact on broader systems transformation. Funders include philanthropic foundations (including family offices) and educational endowments, as well as multilaterals and governments.  

The primary focal funding activities are granting and subsidizing, though the Blueprint may also delve into the gray area between funding and finance of below-market rate finance as a form of funding.

The primary focal fundee is the not-for-profit organization / initiative.

While it is common to assume that the altruistic connotations of this field of activity render it immune from conflicts of interest and status quo inertia, this Blueprint takes the position that this field is as fallible as other human areas of endeavour, and so applies commensurate rigor. 

The GMF Blueprint will make specific use of concepts of earlier developed Blueprints, especially

• Reporting Blueprint: The New Impetus provides a template for redesigning governance of funding
• Accounting Blueprint: Evaluating transformative funding requires Integrated multi-capital accounting 
• Data Blueprint: New information system architecture requires robustly governed funding 
• New Business Models Blueprint: The funding sector must redesign its business model – it can use the template from this Blueprint
• Transformation Journey Blueprint: Provides guidance on strategies for transformation 
• Sustainable Finance Blueprint: Funding intersects significantly with finance in pursuit of a regenerative & distributive economy
• Value Cycles Blueprint: Regenerative resource circulation can create System Value
• Educational Transformation Blueprint: Education underpins cultural  transformation from mechanistic & extractive modelst to just, living systems models.  

Ben Roberts