"In 2021, RWJF decided to make participatory grantmaking a hallmark strategy of a multiyear initiative focused on building the power and voice of communities affected by racial injustice in local public health and healthcare systems. The Foundation’s embrace of participatory grantmaking for this p
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ilot initiative was based on the belief that those closest to a problem should be central in crafting solutions. By providing outside and community experts with the power to design the initiative and recommend grants, RWJF staff believed the Foundation could increase the chances of achieving real and measurable community impact, while also delivering important lessons for the Foundation and other large funders about participatory grantmaking. This case study shares the story of how the process unfolded and how a committee external to the Foundation led the work of designing the initiative, soliciting and reviewing applications, agreeing on how the Foundation should disburse nearly $5 million in grants, and establishing norms and expectations for a group of intermediary grantees as they adopted their own participatory practices to “regrant” these dollars to community-based groups. The case study also seeks to lift up important takeaways for RWJF and other foundations, especially larger institutions, that are exploring or already engaging in some form of participatory grantmaking." (Pages 5-6)
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"This report explores the state of evidence in participatory grantmaking (PGM). It investigates the benefits and challenges of PGM and provides recommendations for the sector on advancing practice and understanding in this emerging area." (Page 4)
"In 2019, the Fund partnered with Purposeful, a feminist movement-building hub for adolescent girls, to pilot a participatory grant-making initiative in Sierra Leone aimed at promoting youth leadership and amplifying the voices of young people. As our first foray into realizing the potential of part
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icipatory grant-making, this experience taught us many valuable lessons about how to foster genuine participation of children and young people.
A targeted and intentional approach to reach a diverse group of children and youth is essential. This helps prevent a participatory process that only benefits young people in urban areas and those from higher socio-economic backgrounds.
We also learned that true participation requires letting go of power while ensuring that young people have what they need to make meaningful and informed decisions. Support to child and youth-led groups should go beyond grant money to include a comprehensive package of grantee-led learning and accompaniment.
The biggest lesson is about the need to be open and flexible throughout the process. Being willing to adapt as we went along allowed us to respond and make changes (almost) in real time. It also allowed us to learn from the young people about what it means to use your voice and make yourself heard in ways far beyond what we could have anticipated." (Executive summary)
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