Decide. Arise. Matter.

Because meaningful work begins with a list of matters arising, and becomes the work that must matter—to communities, to partners, to the future.

Our name is a reminder and a commitment: act on what’s arising; build what matters.

Who we are

Arising Matters is a governance & systems studio for people building better worlds. We work on what’s arising now and the matters that must endure—helping you design awards and funds, build new ways of working, and put the right systems around the work so it stands up in the world.

We back funders, nonprofits, social enterprises and campaigners - especially those standing up to concentrations of power - so decisions are fair, harm is minimised, and trust compounds. We design and steward pilots and funds, recruit values‑aligned leaders, and (when useful) step in briefly on boards or as observers—then hand back with guardrails that last. Outcome: work that ships safely, funding that fits, and communities who see how and why it matters.

Who we serve

  • Funders: grantmaking model design; decision & delegation charters; trust‑based funding (multi‑year/flexible support, light‑touch reporting); integrity & risk (conflicts, safeguarding, crisis response & escalation); open learning (transparency, documentation, contribution‑focused evaluation); interim stewardship while structures bed in.

  • Builders (nonprofits, social enterprises, campaigns): governance refresh (decision rights, accountability & participation across staff, boards, volunteers); partnership & grant‑readiness; campaign operations; data & privacy practices; learning infrastructure; org health (policies, handbooks, inclusive rituals).

We can help you by…

  • Supporting your vision

    It's essential to ensure that your philanthropic implementation aligns with your vision. We can help you shape strategies and approaches that support and enhance your particular vision for impact.

  • Addressing power dynamics

    We understand your concerns about power dynamics in funding relationships. Working together, we can establish new models and practices that promote fairness and equitable distribution of resources, leading to greater return on social investment.

  • Amplifying your impact

    Through collaboration we can share knowledge, learn from experiences, and develop robust methodologies. By continuously improving our practices and staying accountable, we iterate to positive outcomes and minimise the unintended negative impacts that could arise from of your funding efforts.

  • Embracing collective learning

    Managing upwards, downwards and outwards can be overwhelming, exhausting, and frustrating. By fostering a culture of shared learning, we can alleviate these burdens. We can help you create spaces for open dialogue, exchange insights, and support each other's growth.

  • Matching values and operations

    Our values, and our approach is open, collaborative, iterative, generous, curious, and rooted in a sense of abundance. Defining your values, embracing them and supporting those through strategic operations, will make a significant difference in not just how you deliver, but how well you deliver.

  • Designing impact frameworks:

    Designing working frameworks

    Standard frameworks work for standards. Designing frameworks that are robust, flexible, and responsive to you, takes listening, patience and iteration. From governance to grant-making, we help you establish clear decision-making processes, define roles and responsibilities, and establish mechanisms for accountability that match and track your progress.