Thesis-driven funds

It’s time for some big moves to connect large philanthropic pledges with real action to drive systems change. How about this new model - Thesis-Driven Funds: A New Model for Transformational Philanthropy - as a start!

By starting with a SMART goal, appointing a fund director, and underpinned by an anchor donor, these funds could provide a step-change to funding complex issues that require deep expertise concurrently across multiple fields. "Fund directors bring both domain knowledge and extensive relationships in their fields, enabling them to pursue non-consensus bets, to conduct sophisticated due diligence, and to create new initiatives by connecting individuals and teams with complementary strengths."

Speed & Scalability! The authors point to advantages of this model: philanthropists can move rapidly into new cause areas without needing to spend time building internal capacity; scale of giving can be achieved through relationships with multiple fund directors that maintain dozens of their own relationships.