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Healing-Centered Funding for Systems Change

Shifts for Healing-Centered Solutions

Public, private, and social sector leaders share an interest in advancing healing and providing resources that enable people to realize their fullest potential; however, some approaches can fall short or unintentionally cause harm. Chicago Beyond’s Healing-Centered Funding for Systems Change framework identifies five shifts funders can make to build a more interconnected understanding of issues and increase the probability of successful, enduring, healing-centered solutions. 

Five Practical Shifts to Expand Perspectives for Greater Impact

The momentum of traditional philanthropic processes can be difficult to disrupt. However, Healing-Centered Funding for Systems Change points to five practical shifts funders can make to expand their perspectives, do less harm, and have a greater impact:
    • Widen the funding perspective
      Seeking to understand social context, individual and collective strengths, and generational aspects to work, while stopping the search for a single solution.
    • Expand institutional knowledge and metrics
      Measuring what matters in collaboration with grant partners, including qualitative and quantitative impact signals rooted in the voices of community members.
    • Fit funding processes and terms to purpose
      Eliminating the practice of "best worst stories” and unnecessary work, and providing flexible, long-term funding.
    • Make risk analysis whole
      Interrupt unconscious bias and boldly invest in leaders proximate to social issues, while considering the risk to communities from not investing in high-potential, underrecognized leaders.
    • Learn and be accountable
      Use power and voice to acknowledge harm, cultivate learning, and establish mutual accountability.
  • Widen the funding perspective
    Seeking to understand social context, individual and collective strengths, and generational aspects to work, while stopping the search for a single solution.
  • Expand institutional knowledge and metrics
    Measuring what matters in collaboration with grant partners, including qualitative and quantitative impact signals rooted in the voices of community members.
  • Fit funding processes and terms to purpose
    Eliminating the practice of "best worst stories” and unnecessary work, and providing flexible, long-term funding.
  • Make risk analysis whole
    Interrupt unconscious bias and boldly invest in leaders proximate to social issues, while considering the risk to communities from not investing in high-potential, underrecognized leaders.
  • Learn and be accountable
    Use power and voice to acknowledge harm, cultivate learning, and establish mutual accountability.

Healing-Centered Funding for Systems Change

Knowledge of trauma and healing gives funders a way to expand their perspectives, do less harm, and be more effective at systems change. Originally published in Stanford Social Innovation Review, Healing-Centered Funding for Systems Change provides a framework for impact that endures.   

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