The 15 Characteristics that Matter Most: A Self-Reflection for Funders Pursuing Place-based Investing

Place-based investing (PBI) is a powerful philanthropic strategy to catalyze substantive social change in communities. In this brief, funders are introduced to the characteristics of their organizations that matter most to the success of place-based investments.The characteristics are evident in a funding organization’s internal structures, culture, and norms; their interplay can support or hinder place-based strategies and efforts to center communities.

The brief includes a four-stage discussion guide for funding teams and staff to reflect on the characteristics of their own organizations. The guide provides a sequence for internal conversations to uncover and begin to align organizational dynamics with effective place-based investments.