OUR APPROACH

CS Fund practices trust-based grantmaking focused on transformative systems change.

THEORY OF CHANGE

Our grantmaking and organizing seeks to dismantle harmful systems and advance transformative change by building the capacity and power of communities and movements, and by creating conditions in which they can thrive.

WHAT WE DO

  • Support local, national, and global organizations

  • Address critical, under-resourced issues

  • Contend with root causes of problems

  • Seek systemic solutions

  • Identify and seize opportunities for strategic intervention

  • Play a catalytic role in launching new initiatives

  • Encourage the creation of positive alternatives

  • Fund a diverse, intersectional ecosystem of organizations and strategies, including legal, policy, education, organizing, power building, narrative, and culture change

HOW WE DO IT

  • Provide long-term, multi-year general and program support for grantees to build capacity and power

  • Be flexible and responsive through the use of rapid response and out of cycle grants

  • Support emerging issues outside of program areas that have systemic impacts

  • Act as a partner, resource, and advocate for our grantees based on mutual openness, trust and accountability

  • Reduce the burden on our grantees throughout the grant lifecycle

  • Educate and organize funders to invest in critical strategies and organization

  • Advocate for important issues related to our grantmaking