Participatory Grantmaking: (Re)Connecting with the Model in Our Current Landscape
How do you listen to those who most directly benefit from your grantmaking? And then what do you do when your listening opens up opportunities for more participatory practices?
This Midwest Partnership Series webinar explores “participatory philanthropy” as a (re)emerging model and how funders in the Midwest are implementing components of the model to strengthen their grantmaking. The program will begin with a presentation to (re)introduce participatory grantmaking and share recent trends. The trends will be brought to life by Midwest funders sharing their recent experiences. Finally, a learning space about participatory practice is incomplete without participation: expect small group breakouts to support cross-state networking and learning.
As a participant, you’ll depart better connected with your Midwestern colleagues, with a stronger understanding of current participatory grantmaking practices and helpful tools, including a glossary of terms, tips & lessons learned from the field, a Funder Readiness Assessment, and implementation resources.
What to Expect
- Be (re)introduced to the participatory grantmaking model;
- Receive insight into 2-3 recent Midwestern funder experiences with the model;
- Know where to reach additional specific resources to learn more, assess their own readiness, and move forward into implementation; and
- Network with peer funders in IN, MI, MO, and OH.
Speaker
Katy Love, Program Manager, Fund for Shared Insight
Katy Love is an experienced practitioner of and advocate for participatory grantmaking, a practice that moves decision-making about grants from funders to the people impacted by those funds. She has created, led, managed, or participated in over 50 cycles of participatory grantmaking. As an independent consultant and trained facilitator, Katy works with funders globally to shift power from their institutions to the people or movements that funders aim to serve. In recent years, she has worked with funders on gender equity, youth justice, racial equity, climate and environmental justice, disability inclusion, youth leadership, and more, from local and regional to global philanthropy. Before that, Katy led the grantmaking team at the Wikimedia Foundation, the nonprofit that operates Wikipedia, running six participatory grantmaking programs. Previously, she held roles at CARE International and the Global Fund for Children. She is a member of the Steering Committee of Human Rights Funders Network.
Resources
Article: Not Sure Where to Start With Participatory Philanthropy? A New Tool Can Help (February 2024, Inside Philanthropy)
Fund for Shared Insight Participatory Philanthropy Toolkit
Advancing Participation in Philanthropy Tool
