FAQs

Who is organizing this campaign? 

Building on decades of leadership in the philanthropic sector, CHANGE Philanthropy and its ten organizational network partners are driving this initiative forward. CHANGE partners will be contributing key resources and support, with CHANGE Philanthropy and NCRP providing senior-level staff leadership to drive and coordinate the campaign. 

• CHANGE Philanthropy
• AAPIP (Asian Americans in Philanthropy) 
• ABFE (A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities)
• EPIP (Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy) 
• Funders for LGBTQ Issues

• Hispanics in Philanthropy 
• Native Americans in Philanthropy NFG (Neighborhood Funders Group) 
• NCRP (National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy)
• PRE (Philanthropic Initiative for Racial Equity) 
• WFN (Women’s Funding Network) 

Can we increase our spending at a higher rate? Can we pledge to do this for a longer period of time?

Yes and yes! These pledge levels are a floor, not a ceiling. We want all funders to consider how they can make this a new normal, not just a one-time commitment. Signatories should use this as a stepping stone to continue going farther, and we will actively celebrate those who do. 

Our foundation has an endowment, and we already pay out more than 8%. Can we sign? 

Yes. Endowed grantmakers with a corpus payout already at 8% or above may sign the pledge if they plan to maintain or increase that level for the pledge’s duration. 

Do I need to be a foundation to sign? 

No. Pooled funds, DAFs, and high-net-worth donors are also eligible and encouraged to sign this pledge.

Can you work with living donors and/or DAFs? 

Yes. If you want to make a commitment and be part of this pledge in ways that increase resources to the field at this critical time, we can work with you. We have experienced philanthropic advisors who also have experience as trustees and executives at grantmaking institutions. Reach out to us at level.up@changephilanthropy.org.

We satisfy the spending part of this pledge, but we are concerned about publicizing that. 
Why should we sign? 

Thank you for increasing your spending. That alone is worth celebrating. But our communities and civil society partners also need philanthropic leadership, courage, and commitment, in addition to those dollars. Visible funding commitments, alongside other funders doing the same, are essential to stopping the backslide of philanthropic commitments our communities are experiencing amidst unprecedented threats to their work and cuts to needed services. Furthermore, newer funders and donors who are looking to make contributions to address the crises in our democracy need leadership and examples to follow. Your commitment will help galvanize your peers to stand strong with you.

Why does this pledge ask us to share our 990s or other grant information? Can’t I just sign on without committing to sharing data? 

Philanthropic sign-on letters and statements of solidarity can be helpful steps to announce positions and intentions. This pledge builds on sign-on letters by committing to action and collective impact. From over 100 years of combined leadership in the sector, we now know that resources move best when there are supportive accountability mechanisms and credible, collective commitments. This step, which many pledge campaigns skip, is a way to show that philanthropy is truly taking action rather than simply making empty promises. It also represents the long-standing wishes of so many community and civil society partners.

How will you use the information in our 990 or other provided grant data? 

990s and other provided grant data will solely be used to verify that pledge terms have been met in the aggregate and enable optional follow-up support. We will not share grant lists publicly. Nor will we publicly share analysis of specific funders who have signed.

What will it look like to share our data? 

Pledge signers will receive requests to share their data one year after signing, and again two years after signing. For funders that are already required to file 990s, it’s easy: simply share it with us when you file the form with the IRS. For individual donors and other funders not required to file 990s, you’ll receive a secure form that protects your data with access controls, de-identification protocols, and other unique protections to ensure your information remains private.

What if I still have questions? 

Ask away! We can help. Alongside the legal expertise and resources we can connect you to, our staff and leadership have decades of experience serving on and working with philanthropic boards and giving vehicles. We understand that levelling up your grantmaking practices is a journey, not a destination. We can work with you to discover how far you’ve gone, and how much farther you can continue to go. Reach out to us at level.up@changephilanthropy.org.

How can philanthropy infrastructure organizations, donor networks, or other funder membership groups that are not grantmakers support the pledge? 

Consider endorsing and sharing the pledge with your networks! We’re always looking to collaborate, and welcome your support to promote the pledge, spread the word to funders in your network, and encourage funders to sign. Staff affiliated with the Level Up campaign will be happy to offer support to you as you promote the pledge or align it with your other engagement and outreach programs.