Resource Library
Participatory grantmaking is as much art as science. We’ve curated resources and best practices about how to shift power effectively, equitably and authentically

Featured Resources

Mechanics of Participatory Grantmaking
For practitioners starting out with participatory grantmaking or looking to refine their own participatory processes, understanding the minutia how other foundations approach this work can be invaluable.

Grassroots Grantmakers: Embedding Participatory Approaches in Funding
This report was produced by Hannah Paterson to summarize her exploration of participatory grantmaking during her Winston Churchill Fellowship. It explores different participatory models, provides practical tips, and unearths important themes in this area.

Deciding Together: Shifting Power and Resources Through Participatory Grantmaking, GrantCraft
This report shares lessons learned from participatory funders around the world.
All Resources
Insight on Participatory Grantmaking: Mutisya Leonard, UHAI EASHRI
20 September 2018
Mutisya Leonard
This short video is about why participatory grantmaking is important in the context of UHAI’s work.
Categories: Stories. Tags: LGBTQIA+. Format: Video. Source: Grantcraft. Length: 3 minutes.
Putting Participation in Participatory Grantmaking
9 February 2021
Khadra Aden
If we are doing Participatory Grantmaking by just inviting people to engage in the work that we do, in the way that we do it, without any wrap-around support we are always just setting them up for failure. The most exciting and rewarding part of my role is working with community members to help them make funding decisions.
Categories: Blog. Tags: featuredBlog.
Five reasons to support participatory grantmaking, Rose Longhurst, Edge Fund
7 August 2017
Rose Longhurst
This consice aritcle describes five benefits of participatory grantmaking.
Categories: Advocacy. Format: Online Article. Source: Alliance Magazine. Length: 800 words.
Model City Bringing Sports Power People
14 December 2020
Lee Parker
This article tells the story of the Model City program.
Categories: Stories. Tags: Sports. Format: Online Article. Geography: UK. Source: Emily Salley. Length: 1500 words.
Staff, Skills and Operationalisation — Putting Participatory Grant Making (PGM) into Practice
9 February 2020
Hannah Paterson
Article about the resources (budget and staff skills) needed to implement participatory grantmaking.
Categories: Practical. Tags: Operations. Format: Online Article. Source: Medium. Length: 1500 words.
Participatory Grantmaking During COVID-19
1 July 2020
Camden Giving
This is detailed report on Camden Giving’s approach to participatory grantmaking during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Categories: Stories. Tags: COVID-19. Format: PDF report. Geography: UK. Source: Camden Giving. Length: 12 pages.
Exploring Participatory Grantmaking with Grants Managers
11 February 2020
Tierney Smith & Katy Love
This interview-style article features tips from Janice Tud and Arlene Wilson-Grant for administering grants in a participatory grantmaking context.
Categories: Practical. Tags: Operations. Format: Online Article. Source: GrantBook. Length: 2000 words.
Participatory Philanthropy with Rose Longhurst
1 October 2019
Rhodri Davies & Rose Longhurst
Rose Longhurst discusses participation in philanthropy and her experience of radical approaches to grantmaking with Edge Fund (and others).
Categories: Stories. Tags: Movements. Format: Audio. Source: Giving Thought. Length: 60 minutes.
Mechanics of Participatory Grantmaking: Durfee
15 March 2021
GrantCraft by Candid
This is part of a series of brief stories that feature the work of participatory grantmakers from Grantcraft.
Categories: Stories. Source: Grantcraft.
Giving Up Grant-Making Power: Lessons learned from 10 years of Shared Gifting Circles
12 December 2019
Kelley Buhles
This case story explores the approach of RSF Social Finance to implementing giving circles, where participants decide among themselves how to distribute funding among one another.
Categories: Stories. Tags: Power. Format: Online Article. Source: Medium. Length: 1500 words.
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