Who Decides: How Participatory Grantmaking Benefits Donors, Communities, and Movements

The Lafayette Practice conducted research and interviews to analyze and compare the practices of eight premiere international Participatory Grantmaking Funds (PGF). TLP examined existing data regarding the qualitative aspects of the funds and their grantees, including functions, roles, and budgets.Participatory Grantmaking emerges from a practice of grassroots activism, with assumed belief that decision-making participation of people impacted by the fund's programs will guarantee that grants are allocated to those most deserving. Participatory Grantmaking models have proliferated over the past several decades. Yet there has been little research or documentation to analyze the assumptions and outcomes of the methodology.The funds included in this report are:Disability Rights FundFRIDA -- Young Feminist FundGMT InitiativeHIV Young Leaders FundInternational Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC) HIV Collaborative FundRed Umbrella FundRobert Carr Networks FundUHAI -- the East African Sexual Health and Rights Initiative