Introduction
The Global Intermediaries POD aims to build on discussions from the October 2023 EDGE Annual Conference, where some participants highlighted the need for a space to organize and build community among intermediary organizations. Building on that and the creation of the POD (Philanthropy to Deliver), the EDGE staff had the objective to move beyond just conversations and political alignment to create a community of practice that can take concrete actions together. The new initiative, called PODs, is intended to be a space for delivering on the ideas and objectives identified by our membership. The community should be one of trust, where members can rely on each other and work collectively towards shared goals.
The group originally formed somewhat serendipitously at the EDGE Conference, when participants discuss their needs and goals independently, realizing they shared similar challenges and objectives, such as best practices, approaches to funders, and participatory grant-making. These discussions revealed a shared interest in learning from each other and building on existing knowledge.
The purpose of the PODs is to move from an approach of learning and sharing to taking concrete action and it is designed to be a catalytic space focused on delivery. Over a series of sessions, participants will work together to create tangible outcomes that go beyond discussions, and truly attempting to join force towards actionable steps, and a shift in strategy is needed to achieve systemic change.
Meetings Minutes and Key decisions
We’re excited to share an update on the progress of the EDGE Intermediaries POD, which began earlier this year following the strong interest in intermediary funders strategizing together at the EDGE Conference in Berlin, October 2023. Since June, the POD has met four times, creating space and a process for sharing, learning, and relationship-building. Beyond these critical elements, we’ve identified and begun work on two key tracks to guide our collective action.
Track 1: Advocacy for Intermediaries
The group has prioritized developing a collective voice to advocate for the unique role of intermediaries in philanthropy. One of the first steps in this track is co-writing a think piece that explores the pivotal role intermediaries play in bridging the gap between large funders and grassroots organizations, offering trust, flexibility, and contextual knowledge to channel resources effectively and sustainably. It challenges misconceptions about intermediaries as mere “middlemen” and highlights their critical contributions as incubators, advocates, and catalysts for systemic change.
Track 2: Referrals System
In parallel, we are working on creating a referral system to facilitate connections between activists and funders, particularly those without open calls. This system aims to clarify who funds which areas within the progressive landscape and identify additional services offered by funders. The goal is to streamline referrals, ensuring grassroots organizations gain access to funding opportunities and resources that align with their missions. This track emphasizes collaboration and transparency to strengthen the entire ecosystem of progressive philanthropy.
Looking Ahead
We’re also looking forward to the next EDGE Conference in Bogotá in April 2025. The POD will share our progress and outcomes with the broader community, as part of our ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability. This will be an opportunity to gather feedback and strengthen the collective effort to reimagine the role of intermediaries in philanthropy.
Thank you to everyone who has participated and contributed to this vital work. We’re excited about the road ahead and welcome your continued engagement and ideas as we move forward.
Summary of the Meeting : (full minutes available here) During the meeting, the POD discussed on several key ambitions and actions for this space . One of the potential aim is to build a referral system among intermediaries to connect resources directly to grassroots partners and enhance movement sustainability. The group also plans to secure and share funds non-competitively, exploring collaborative fundraising strategies and collective approaches to funders. Additionally, they propose to develop educational and advocacy materials to articulate the importance of intermediaries in philanthropy.
Challenges identified include fundraising, resource allocation, and time constraints due to existing workloads. To address these, Martina and Amanda will cluster the ideas shared during the meeting to help participants focus on specific topics in future sessions. Participants are encouraged to suggest additional topics or conversations, explore collaborative actions, and create shared resources to represent intermediaries’ importance collectively (reach out to Martina).
Video Recording
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