Making decisions collectively

The traditional model for funding is that a few people make all the decisions around where, to whom and how funding is distributed.

Often it is Board of trustees who have this control.

Participatory Grant making devolves the decision making so that decisions can be made collectively. It involves people with lived experience as well as practiced and professional experience.  This shifts the usual power dynamic between the funded and the funder, creating a stronger relationship and providing a more informed decision making due to the increased perspective in the room.

“Participatory Grant making puts people & lived experience at the heart of the process.” – Ali Spaul

But why is that important?

Participatory Grant Making – that includes the co-design of funds and collective decision making – creates collective intelligence on what needs to be funded. It highlights what the issues are in a specific area and how to make the whole funding process more accessible.

“Moving money is a complex issue! Grant making is a profession, just like Finance and HR. Participatory Grant making brings Grant makers together with Community Development practitioners – knocking down the walls and barriers community organisations regularly come up against.” – Ali Spaul