LISTENING IN THIS MOMENT

Feedback Labs Members' Community Learning Site

Webinar Series: Listening in This Moment

In times of upheaval, high-quality listening helps nonprofits and funders adapt quickly, act with precision, and build lasting trust and resilience. Watch this interactive three-part webinar series to learn practical strategies for listening in moments of rapid change, protecting constituents’ safety, and navigating differences to find a way forward.

Part 1: High-Quality Listening Through Uncertainty and Rapid Change

During this moment of uncertainty and rapid change, knowing when and how to collect feedback can feel overwhelming—especially when you don’t have all the answers. This interactive webinar will explore practical ways to listen quickly, minimize burden on constituents, and respond with transparency. You’ll leave with a clear set of next steps to listen to your community and act on what you hear

High Quality Listening Through Uncertainty and Rapid Change Handout

Part 2: Prioritizing Safety and Security in High-Quality Listening

As federal policy shifts to systemically undermine the safety and security of marginalized communities, nonprofits and foundations must center the voices of those most impacted in decision-making. But, how do we listen well without putting marginalized communities at greater risk? Join us to examine strategies to mitigate risks in your feedback questions and collection methods and protect your listening data. You’ll walk away with a personalized checklist to prioritize safety and security in your listening.

Prioritizing Safety and Security in High-Quality Listening Webinar Handout_FBL_29 January 2026

Part 3: Effective Listening Across Difference

In today’s climate of deep political and ideological division, listening can feel hazardous—but when done with care, listening can surface diverse perspectives, uncover common ground, and strengthen trust. This interactive webinar will explore how nonprofits and funders can navigate differences of opinion with humility and purpose by leaning on organizational values, creating space for honest dialogue, and using language that fosters inclusion rather than division. You’ll conclude the webinar with a custom discussion guide for your organization and community.

Listening Across Difference Webinar Handout_FBL_05 February 2026

Listening in this Moment_A Guide for Funders.pdf

Listening in This Moment:

A Guide for Funders

As philanthropic funders grapple with how to respond to mounting threats to nonprofits and vulnerable communities, plummeting government funding for international aid and social services, and increasing political polarization, listening to grantees and community members is essential. Grantee and community insights allow funders to quickly understand a rapidly changing context, and increase the likelihood their response will be effective.

Yet many funders we’ve spoken to are unsure how to listen well in this moment. They want to listen quickly, but don’t want to burden grantees that are struggling to stay afloat or community members whose safety is being threatened. They understand the importance of responding to what they hear, but worry about hearing input they disagree with or can’t act on.

This guide addresses the top five questions we’ve heard from funders about how to listen well in this moment. We’ve also highlighted examples of how funders are already putting the principles into action throughout the guide. You can read this guide from start to finish or jump directly to the question most relevant to your work.

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