Fund the Future Week:
Non-Grant Capital
November 16-20, 2026
with funding advisor, Joanne Sonenshine
5 Days to Understand When and How to Use Non-Grant Capital in 2027
Join Fund the Future Week, a live, interactive series designed to help you understand how non-grant capital can complement traditional grantmaking and expand the ways you put capital to work for impact.
Over five days, you’ll get guidance on:
Non-grant tools available, like recoverable grants, innovative loan structures, guarantees and other forms of catalytic capital.
When they make sense to use and when they don’t.
How to identify where non-grant capital can fit within your own funding strategy.
You’ll also get access to curated resources, real-world examples, networking, and opportunities for direct feedback and discussion, all designed to help you move from curiosity about non-grant capital to greater clarity about whether, where, and how you might actually use it.
Participation is limited to keep the sessions interactive and allow for meaningful discussion and feedback.
Day 1
Day 2
Live Training: Funding Scenarios (Real Issues and Real Solutions)
Bring a current funding scenario, question, or opportunity to the table. Together, we’ll explore what type of capital might fit, what questions need to be answered, and what potential barriers or risks should be considered. You’ll leave with practical guidance from me and insights from the experiences and questions of the group.
12pm-1:30pm EST
Live Training: Introduction to Non-Grant Tools
Learn what non-grant capital tools are available, how they work, the types of challenges they can help address, and where they fit alongside traditional grantmaking. We’ll cover recoverable grants, loans, guarantees, and other catalytic approaches, with practical examples of each.
Includes access to Non-Grant Capital Toolkit.
11am-12:30pm EST includes Q&A
Day 3
Building Non-Grant Capital into Your 2027 Funding Strategy
We’ll look at emerging trends, organizational readiness, key decision points, and what it takes to successfully incorporate non-grant capital alongside your existing grantmaking strategy. Additional guest perspectives included.
10:30am-12pm EST includes Q&A
Day 4
Ask Me Anything
An open dialogue to tackle your biggest questions around non-grant capital, impact investing and/or blended finance, from choosing the right instrument to internal buy-in, risk, implementation, or simply figuring out where to start. Or take the Non-Grant Capital Readiness Assessment in advance and come ready to discuss your results!
11:30am - 1pm EST
Day 5
The Review Desk
Submit up to three pages of materials related to your non-grant capital strategy, opportunity, or internal decision-making. This could include a strategy document, funding concept, internal memo, framework, presentation, or other material you are currently developing.
Receive written feedback and actionable recommendations within three business days.
You will receive access to all recordings, resources, and transcripts after the week is over.
What you get:
Non-grant capital toolkit, plus additional curated resources, all recordings and transcripts.
Live training on non-grant capital tools and how they work.
Hands-on exploration of real-world non-grant funding scenarios.
A practical breakdown of recoverable grants, loans, guarantees, and other catalytic tools.
Guidance on when non-grant capital makes sense and when grants are still the better tool.
Direct Q&A and feedback from Joanne and all participants.
Access to WhatsApp Community for ongoing learning/networking.
Who It’s For:
Foundation and philanthropic leaders exploring ways to expand beyond traditional grantmaking.
Family foundations, individual philanthropists, and donor advisors looking to use a broader range of funding tools.
Program officers and grantmaking teams considering whether non-grant capital could support their goals.
Corporate philanthropy, CSR, and social impact leaders interested in catalytic approaches to deploying capital.
Anyone responsible for deciding how philanthropic capital can be deployed for greater and more sustainable impact.
“The design of the training allowed for deep engagement and leveraged the diverse knowledge of the group. The structure allowed all participants to ask multiple questions without feeling they were dominating the conversation, ensuring comprehensive understanding. Also, the blend of attendees…created an environment for cross-sharing knowledge and diverse perspectives.”
~2025 Fund the Future Week Attendee
