Donors are joining hands at a pace we have never seen before — a trend that seems poised to continue to unlock billions more dollars in the coming years. Prompted in large part by the desire by many donors and grant makers to find more effective ways to advance equity in the United States and around the world, these collaboratives could show the way to unlocking greater giving to support social justice. And they could lead to a shift in how philanthropic dollars are distributed — most of these collaboratives are led by people of color and others who have direct experience navigating an unequal world.

The success of family philanthropy is dependent on the willingness of the family to embrace an ecosystem of partners. A terrific example of a family philanthropy that uses an ecosystem approach in its work is the Bainum Family Foundation. By understanding and embracing the roles each stakeholder must play to achieve meaningful societal change, families, staff members, grantees, and community members can better experience stronger relationships, establish clear lines of accountability, employ equitable practices, and learn from each other, making for lasting impact.