Our Guiding Policies
Supporting rights and power.
Policies guiding our actions, turning the tides
Our guiding policies reflect our commitment to equitable and inclusive practices in grantmaking. They prioritize community voice and empower those most impacted by the issues we address
How we collaboratively develop policies
While we may not have formalized policies in place yet, we are actively collaborating with community members and stakeholders to co-create guiding principles that reflect liberatory grantmaking values. Our focus is on centering community voices, fostering trust, and ensuring that those most affected by our work have a meaningful role in shaping our approach. Our guiding policies serve as a foundation for turning the tide on our strategic initiatives, ensuring that we prioritize equity and inclusivity in all our actions. They outline our commitment to fostering transparent social contracts with our partners, enhancing trust and accountability
Guiding Policies for Partners & Stakeholders
Turning Tides is dedicated to empowering our partners through principles of liberatory grantmaking. We believe in creating equitable pathways for change by prioritizing the voices and needs of those we serve. Our guiding policies support collaboration, transparency, and flexibility, ensuring that each of our five funds is tailored to foster responsiveness and adaptability.
1. Our Strategy
Our strategy unites Turning Tides and our partners, amplifying their voices and leveraging their insights to drive collective impact
2. Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement
The fiscal sponsorship agreement between Turning Tides and the Tenure Facility embodies a commitment to equitable resource distribution, ensuring that community-led initiatives receive the support they need. This collaboration prioritizes transparency and accountability, empowering grassroots voices to influence funding decisions
3. Social Contract
The Social Contract articulate the essence of Turning Tides values, principles and commitments to diverse partnerships towards a rights-based approach to community-led management of earths’ commons
4. Conflict of Interest
The Conflict of Interest Policy protects the interest of Turning Tides when it is contemplating entering a transaction or grantmaking process that might benefit the private interest of staff/contractors/consultants, Steering Committee members and any advisory committee/panel members of Turning Tides or might result in a possible excess benefit transaction. This policy is intended to supplement but not replace any applicable local and federal laws governing conflict of interest applicable to nonprofit and charitable organizations
5. Funding Acceptance
At Turning Tides, we prioritize upholding high standards of ethics, integrity, and transparency in all aspects of our operations. This Funding Acceptance Policy serves as a safeguard, helping Turning Tides make informed decisions regarding external funding acceptance – allowing us to increase funds accessible to local communities, small-scale fisheries, fisher workers and Indigenous Peoples, while maintaining our commitment to ethical conduct, financial prudence, and mission alignment
6. Grievance Mechanism
The grievance mechanism (in development) provides a transparent and accessible process for individuals to voice concerns and seek redress, ensuring that marginalized voices are prioritized and heard. Our whistleblower policy safeguards those who report misconduct, fostering a culture of accountability and trust that aligns with our commitment to equitable practices in grantmaking
“Turning Tides works in partnership with a diverse set of philanthropic partners who are also committed to grassroots funding and liberatory approaches”.