Empowering Communities: A Structured Approach to Inclusive Grantmaking

The demand for more inclusive and participatory approaches to grantmaking has never been stronger. Traditional models of philanthropy, where funders make decisions without community input, often fall short of achieving the transformative social change that philanthropy promises. At Bold Ventures, we are committed to integrating community engagement into grantmaking, rooted in our values of respect, autonomy, and trust. Philanthropy is increasingly exploring participatory grantmaking to better engage communities, but the lack of standardized practices has led to a wide range of approaches by funders. Our new Community Engaged Grantmaking guide offers a structured approach to democratizing philanthropy by outlining a spectrum of community engagement — from informing communities of grantmaking opportunities to community-driven decision-making through democratic participation.

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In this guide, we explore five distinct models of community engagement that help donors and foundations ensure that the voices of those most impacted by social challenges are central to the grantmaking process. We also share real-world case studies, including how the Shift Health Accelerator Collaborative Fund and other leading organizations are already advancing equity and community involvement in their work.

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We encourage funders to reflect on their current practices, set aspirational goals, and take actionable steps to move towards a more equitable and inclusive grantmaking process. To learn more about how to engage communities in a meaningful way, we invite you to read the full guide.