Trust-Based Philanthropy Reporting Toolkit: Honest Updates Funders Love
Funders embracing trust-based philanthropy want candour, beneficiary voice, and learning—not glossy PDFs. This toolkit helps UK organisations co-create updates that strengthen relationships and feed Crafty with authentic stories.
TL;DR
- Define reporting principles rooted in candour, community voice, and shared learning.
- Use modular templates for relational updates, learning logs, and financial snapshots.
- Close the loop by documenting funder feedback and folding learning into future bids.
What makes trust-based reporting different?
The Trust-Based Philanthropy Project’s UK cohort (2024) emphasises relational reporting—honesty about setbacks, power sharing, and community-led metrics. Reports should capture what changed, what didn’t, and how funders can help, not just outputs. Focusing on learning, not spin, keeps funders engaged.
These principles complement your monitoring and evaluation framework and support narratives in the modular answer library.
How should you structure a trust-based reporting toolkit?
Build four modules: relational narrative template, learning log, beneficiary voice bank, and finance snapshot. Store them in Notion or Google Drive with clear owners and review cycles.
| Component | Purpose | Owner | Cadence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relational narrative template | Structure updates around outcomes, setbacks, asks | Bid Writer | Quarterly |
| Learning log | Capture lessons, adaptations, partner insights | Programme Lead | Monthly |
| Beneficiary voice bank | Collect quotes, audio, and video with consent | Communications | Ongoing |
| Finance snapshot | Share spending vs. budget, reserves, new risks | Finance Manager | Quarterly |
Sync the toolkit with your automated evidence bank so numbers update automatically, and reference it in the budget planner for financial transparency.
How do you collect stories and quotes responsibly?
Co-create stories with participants; offer editing rights and fair compensation. The Bond storytelling guide (2024) recommends capturing context, power dynamics, and consent notes. Link quotes to your AI prompt libraryso the AI references approved wording only.
Download templates and next steps
Download the reporting toolkit (Google Docs + Notion), learning log, and funder feedback tracker. Schedule quarterly “learning circles” with funders to embed the approach.
Next actions
- Adopt the reporting toolkit and map it against current funding agreements.
- Train staff on co-created storytelling and consent best practice.
- Add trust-based reporting templates to Crafty so drafts stay relational.
Key takeaways
- Trust-based reporting prioritises learning and community voice over glossy wins.
- Toolkit modules keep updates structured, honest, and efficient.
- Crafty helps deliver relational reports that align with funder expectations.
Summary and next steps
Trust-based reporting isn’t a trend; it’s a mindset shift. Document principles, gather stories with care, and share learning in real time. Funders will repay you with longer-term partnerships.
- Roll the toolkit out to programmes with trust-based funders first.
- Capture learning and feed it into your next bid narratives via Crafty.
- Revisit the toolkit annually with funders and community partners.