Blueprint 8: Funding Governance for Systemic Transformation

Purpose of the Blueprint
Aspect | Explanation |
Introduction | 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. |
Focus | 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. |
Link to other r3.0 Blueprints | The GMF Blueprint will make specific use of concepts of earlier developed Blueprints, especially
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Areas the Blueprint will cover
Aspect | Explanation |
Regenerative Governance Principles | Principles-based approaches support broadly applicable general specifications. |
Blue Marble Evaluation Principles | Blue Marble Evaluation Principles focus explicitly on systemic transformation, coming from the world of evaluation that assesses funding impact. |
Conflict of Interests | Case studies of conflicts of interest in the funding and not-for-profit fields. |
And Other Areas |
Resources the Blueprint will build upon
Resource | Explanation |
Building an Impact Economy: A Call to Action for the Philanthropic Sector | This Blueprint will use this existing “call to action” to identify the current level of ambition in the field, and assess if it is sufficient to achieve the necessary levels of transformation to achieve sustainability, regeneration, and thriveability. |
Global Philanthropy Report | This Harvard-Kennedy School report will provide baseline information. |
Expected outcomes of the Blueprint
Outcome | Detail |
Repository | Blueprints typically result in a repository of source materials numbering in the hundreds, compiled into a repository |
Infographics from virtual dialogues | Blueprint development typically involves a virtual dialogue on Currnt for each Exposure Draft, resulting in infographic reports |
Public comment | After vetting two Exposure Drafts with the Working Group of 20-40 global experts, a Public Comment period precedes final publication |
Blueprint # 8 | The final version of Blueprint 8 will be published as a r3.0 Blueprint Report for release at the September 2022 r3.0 Conference. |
Parties who should be involved
Main roles: (S)=sponsors; (W)=work partners; (R)= research partners; (D)=data providers; (V)=validating/networking partners | |
Sponsors (S) | Foundations, Family Offices, Multilaterals, Governments |
Research partners (R) | Academic Alliance members, Academics, Practitioner Researchers |
Work partners (W) | Advocation Partners and Transformation Journey Program Participants |
Data providers (D) | |
Validating / networking partners (V) |
Management of the Blueprint project
Function | Role Description |
Program manager | Ralph Thurm & Bill Baue |
BP Co-Authors | Revathi Kollegala & Ben Roberts |
Funder Participants | 7-10 |
Network Representatives | 7-10 |
Non-Profit Representatives | 3-5 |
Timeline
Month | Activities |
1 | Call for participation, set up of working group, budget check, official launch |
2-3 | Literature collection, analysis, |
4-5 | Prepare First Exposure Draft |
6 | 1st Online Dialogue, In-Person Working Group Meeting |
7 | Prepare Second Exposure Draft |
8 | 2nd Online Dialogue, In-Person Working Group Meeting, Public Comment Period |
9-10 | Final version of Blueprint and release |
Resources
Contributions | Description |
Funding | 200k Euro, @20k standard contribution, or minimally 10k |
In-kind | possible |
Funding Governance for Systemic Transformation Blueprint Repository
Co-Author
Ben Roberts
Steward
Thriving Resilient Communities Collaboratory
Project Management
Bill Baue
Senior Director
r3.0
+1 413 387 58 24
Ralph Thurm
Managing Director
OnCommons / r3.0
+31 64 600 14 52
Working Group Members

Trae Ashlie-Garen
Ecosystem Catalyst, Animis Philanthropic Ventures, and WINfinity

Renilde Becque
Independent Consultant

Suzanne Bowles
Chief Strategist, The Conversations Collaborative

Isabel Carlisle
Director, Bioregional Learning Centre

Joe Doran
Inquiry Manager, Lankelly Case Foundation

Kate Dyer
Independent

Mervyn King
Former Judge of the Supreme Court of South Africa, Ex-Chair of the Board GRI, Co-Chair Emeritus Value Reporting Foundation

Revathi Sharma Kollegala
Executive Director, Regen Foundation

Zsolt Lengyel
True & Fair Expert llc.

Lenka Moore
Independent Advisor

Bronwen Morgan
Professor of Law, UNSW Sydney Faculty of Law & Justice, and Co-Founder, New Economy Network of Australia

Jon Mowll
Senior Analyst, Thirty Percy Foundation

Ted Rau
Operational leader, Sociocracy For All

Anneloes Smitsman, PhD
Founder &CEO EARTHwise Center

R. Scott Spann
CEO, Innate Strategies

Kara Stonehouse
Meshworker and Graphic Facilitator, The Hague Center For Global Governance, Innovation and Emergence

Dita Vizosa
Collective Member, Now What?!

Paula Veselovschi
Independent advisor

Steve Waddell
Lead Steward, Bounce Beyond

Liesbeth Willemsen
Independent Advisor