669. How to Build Trust With Funders (and Know When to Walk Away) - Gloria Dixon

Trust isn’t built in boardrooms, it’s built in community.  In this episode, Gloria Dixon (Director of Philanthropy + Executive Director, BECU Foundation) joins us for a real talk on what it takes to share power and reimagine funding through a trust-based lens. From her journey in Milwaukee to leading community-centered giving in the Pacific Northwest, Gloria opens up about what’s shifting in philanthropy and what still needs to.  Together, they dig into why multi-year, unrestricted support matters, how authentic relationships drive impact, and what it means to show up with empathy (not just reports and metrics). It’s hopeful, heart-forward, and packed with practical wisdom for anyone navigating the changing landscape of nonprofit funding.Episode Highlights: Sector Challenges and Funding Changes (00:51)Gloria's Background and Upbringing (03:18)Disconnects Between Funders and Nonprofits (05:57)BECU’s Community-Focused Funding Approach (08:09)Multi-Year Funding Importance (10:32)Funding Friction and Reporting Challenges (14:17) Trust-Based Partnership Practices (17:58)Employee Engagement and Community Impact (20:53) Advice for Nonprofits: Building Trust (23:11) Gloria’s Personal Story of Philanthropy (25:38)Gloria’s One Good Thing (29:07) Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/669//Join the We Are For Good Community—completely free.Join fellow changemakers, share takeaways from this working session, and keep collaborating in a space built for connection, inspiration, and real impact: www.weareforgoodcommunity.comSay hi 👋LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter