The emergence of “trauma-informed care” as a hot topic among service providers and funders may seem sudden or trendy to some, but it describes the long-standing approach of some service providers who recognize the importance of the role of trauma and toxic stress in people’s lives, and then act in a way that minimizes additional stress, avoids retraumatization, and provides opportunities for healing. There is no single definition of trauma-informed care or trauma-responsive work, but all are rooted in a set of principles similar to these six:

1. Understanding trauma and stress

2. Compassion and dependability

3. Safety and stability

4. Collaboration and empowerment

5. Cultural humility and responsiveness

6. Resilience and recovery

These six principles are used by Trauma Transformed, a seven-county collective building a regional trauma-informed system of care and improving the ways we understand, respond to and heal trauma.

As Scattergood Foundation President Joe Pyle’s observation suggests, any funder working to advance social justice is—knowingly or unknowingly—supporting organizations, staff, and community members grappling with the effects of trauma. People who have experienced poverty, immigration, foster care or justice system involvement, violence, and racism and/or other forms of systemic, persistent oppression and discrimination are likely to be affected by trauma—and in many cases, ongoing, complex trauma that significantly affects their ability to thrive.

Service organizations and providers in a wide range of settings—health care, schools, justice systems, and more—are increasingly aware of and delivering trauma-informed care. But all too frequently, the funders investing in their work maintain practices and requirements that can undermine the trauma-informed approaches these providers take and cause undue stress for staff who may already be suffering from vicarious trauma, or secondary stress, from the work they do with people affected by complex trauma.

Convinced that being trauma-informed matters, but not sure what funders can do about it? Here we lift up five key ways that funders have actively used a trauma-informed approach to partner with their grantees, and we share additional resources for further learning.

Want to learn more?

These reflections are just the tip of the iceberg. To learn more about trauma, its effects and signs, and trauma-informed principles and practices, follow the Trauma Transformed blog or join ACES Connection. To go deeper into trauma-informed funder practices, we recommend reading this Guide to Trauma Informed Philanthropy, developed in partnership by Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia, Thomas Scattergood Behavioral Health Foundation, and United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey.

What do you think?

• How have you observed funders practicing trauma-informed principles?

• What else can funders do to align their practices with trauma-informed principles?

• How can funders openly solicit and receive feedback from their grantees and community partners about how they can be more trauma-informed?