How to Fund Like a Narrative Strategist | Nonprofit Quarterly | Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice.

"As "narrative change" has become a trending topic in philanthropy, the work of liberation movements risks being overshadowed and co-opted by funder-driven frameworks that have a history of eroding the deeper, more durable efforts led by the individuals, organizations, and networks on the front lines of change. In a time of political targeting of civil society, it becomes all the more important to protect and build from the groundwork that's been laid"

"At the 2025 Narrative Power Summit in New Orleans, our organizations- Elemental, Our Collective Practice, and the Constellations Culture Change Fund and Initiative -held a session to demystify institutional philanthropy, clarify its relationship to narrative power building, and share insights about the funding landscape. Despite the uptick in foundation chatter about the vital role that narrative plays in advancing social, political, and economic transformation in the long term, this rhetoric is not reflected in the material reality of what most foundations are actually funding."

"A Time of Transition Although public declarations are sparse, we have received an abundance of anecdotal evidence that philanthropic funding for narrative work has receded in the United States as key funders quietly alter their strategies. Earlier this year, Constellations Fund announced that it could no longer continue its resourcing model as an intermediary grantmaker reliant on source funding. When 50 experts on narrative power building are centered in funding discussions...funding can look radically different from what we see today."

Philanthropic attention to 'narrative change' has increased, but funder-driven frameworks risk overshadowing and co-opting liberation movements and eroding long-term frontline efforts. Political targeting of civil society heightens the need to protect and build from existing groundwork and follow leaders with deep practical experience. Elemental, Our Collective Practice, and the Constellations Culture Change Fund and Initiative convened in New Orleans to demystify institutional philanthropy, clarify its relationship to narrative power building, and share funding insights. Despite public rhetoric, philanthropic funding for narrative work has receded and several prominent organizations and publications have closed.

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