Gender Justice Participatory Grantmaking
The SJI, in partnership with the Ford Foundation, has been investigating the use of participatory grantmaking (PGM) as a methodology to support gender justice organisations that have been historically underfunded by institutional philanthropy.
What is participatory grantmaking?
PGM is an approach that shifts decision-making power over funding from traditional donors to the communities directly impacted by social issues. This model ensures that funding decisions are guided by the lived experiences, needs and priorities of those who have historically been excluded from mainstream philanthropy. It seeks to replace the conventional top-down funding model with a more inclusive and equitable process, where communities actively participate in decisions about how financial resources are allocated.
Research and findings
In 2023, the SJI commissioned a report from the WITS Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment to examine the feasibility and impact of participatory grantmaking in the South African context. Authored by Dr. Keratiloe Mogotsi and Dr. Asabea Ahwireng-Obeng, the report found that PGM empowers communities by decentralising decision-making, fostering flexibility and creating a more inclusive funding ecosystem. The report identified various models of PGM each with its own benefits and challenges, including:
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Representative Models
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Rolling Collectives
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Closed Collectives
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Open Collectives
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Direct Transfers
For more information on these models and the findings of the report, read the full report or download a summary.
