Participatory grantmaking

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Participatory grantmaking encompasses a range of models, methods, challenges, and insights. At its core, this approach to funding cedes decision-making power about grants to the very communities impacted by funding decisions. This special collection gathers the experience and insights of funders who have shifted power and builds on the wisdom explored in the GrantCraft guide "Deciding Together: Shifting Power and Resources through Participatory Grantmaking".

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Participatory Philanthropy Toolkit

May 19, 2023

Solidarity, dignity, power, and abundance. These are just some of the benefits that can accrue to the people and communities most impacted by philanthropy's decisions when they have a role in the decision making. That's according to Ciciley Moore, senior program officer at the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, who represented Fund for Shared Insight in a participatory grantmaking program. Shared Insight ran this one-time program (which focused on involving people affected by climate change in funding decisions around the issue) so we could learn together with other funders committed to listening, participation, and more effective and equitable grantmaking.Based on the experiences of the participants, consultants, and funders involved, we created this toolkit to inform and inspire philanthropy's journey toward more participatory practices.Participatory Philanthropy is a term that can include a wide spectrum of participatory practices within philanthropy, and includes Participatory Grantmaking as one approach. This initiative went beyond sharing decision making about grants and centered participation in the design phase of the work. Participants worked on design and grantmaking teams, defining the program's purpose, parameters, and, through a participatory decision-making approach, where and how $2 million in grant money was disbursed. Participants were also involved with communicating grant decisions, developing knowledge products, and gathering in learning communities to deepen their connections and understand and share the impact of the initiative.

Safeguarding & participatory grant-making: An essential guide for funders

April 18, 2023

This document includes guidance on how to consider safeguarding in the planning, delivery, and review of participatory grant-making processes. Its primary focus is to ensure that those involved in participatory grant-making processes, whom we call decision makers, are kept safe from harm.Questions for decision makers to funders is a handout that these decision makers can use if they are considering getting involved in a participatory grant-making process. It includes questions they can ask funders to check if they have sufficiently considered safeguarding measures in their planning.

Smarter Grantmaking for Grantee Organizations: Conversations to Have with Funders

June 1, 2019

Funder grantmaking and learning practices are best when informed by grantee organization needs and experience. Yet, there are many factors that limit or even block this feedback loop.As funders, Transparency and Accountability Initiative (TAI) members recognize our responsibility to listen and respond to grantee questions and concerns, even when we are unable to provide the desired responses.We invite grantseekers to draw inspiration from this guide to seek clarity and advocate for potential needs with current and prospective funders.We hope the conversations highlighted in the guide will help you and your program officers continue to strengthen grantmaking and learning practices with your partners.

Shared Gifting: A Toolkit to Empower You to Democratize Giving

April 20, 2018

The purpose of the RSF Shared Gifting Program is to activate ownership, distribution, and allocation authority for grant funding among the participants of the Shared Gifting Circles. RSF began experimenting with this model of funding in 2011. This document shares our current best practices around creating and facilitating a successful Shared Gifting Circle.

The Mobilisation Cookbook: A Greenpeace Guide to Cooking Up People Powered Campaigns

December 20, 2015

People-powered movements are transforming the world—and our work. Today, nearly everyone has tools for change in the palm of their hand, which is reshaping how organisations like Greenpeace think and operate. Amidst rapid change we've often found ourselves talking about mobilisation and people power without a shared sense, a language, for what we mean.Why do words like "engagement" ring through our offices as often as smartphones? What is "people power," anyway? Most importantly, why should any of this matter to you and the people you work with?The Mobilisation Cookbook is a guide to answer (almost) everything you wanted to know about "people-powered" campaigns at Greenpeace but were afraid to ask. Developed for Greenpeace staff, volunteers, and allies, this guide will help anyone cook up effective people-powered campaigns.

Funding for Inclusion: Women and Girls in the Equation

June 12, 2012

Foundations in Europe can play a much larger role in improving the position of women and girls. This guide reflects on how gender considerations are being addressed in European foundation programmes, processes, and procedures, and it provides a wealth of practical examples and recommendations to inspire other foundations to do so. HighlightsLearning from the experience of other foundations - in summaryUnderstanding the common questions and arguments around gender and inclusionPractical strategies for integrating a commitment to reaching and empowering women and girls into your foundationWhat's in the Guide?Linking gender and inclusion: With women and girls in the equationFunding for inclusion: How European foundations are supporting women and girlsBalancing the equation: Entry points and alliesBecoming a more inclusive foundationTaking a look at how you workFunding for inclusion: how do you monitor and evaluate?