As bilateral budgets contract and foundation strategies pivot, how donors depart a field has become the ultimate test of their commitment to partnership. These Devex Pro Funding briefings, which the Trust, Accountability, and Inclusion Collaborative (TAI) helped coordinate as part of our ongoing work on resourcing civil society, brings together high-level institutional reflections and tactical, on-the-ground negotiation strategies to examine how funders can leave responsibly—and how grantee partners can navigate the transition with resilience.
Part I: Long-Term Strategy — Six Lessons from the MacArthur Foundation on Planned Exits
Part II: Tactical Reality — What Partners Must Ask For, and What Donors Should Offer
Continuing the Conversation
Responsible funder transitions require intentional culture change, shared risk management, and deeper cross-donor coordination.
Connect with the Community: Learn more about how the TAI Collaborative brings funders and field partners together to rethink grantmaking practices and build sustainable civil society ecosystems.
Share Your Insights: Has your organization recently navigated a funder departure or programmatic sunset? We invite you to join our ongoing peer learning spaces and contribute your perspective.