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At Proximate, we write about innovative, systems-level models that shift power to people with lived experience.

Kasasa's Community-Driven SACCO Model
Solutions Now Africa

Kasasa's Community-Driven SACCO Model

Solutions Now Africa
This Central Uganda community is experimenting with a democratic model to invest profits from the sale of local maize
What Would It Look Like to Direct $6 Billion to Feminist Movements by 2026?
Analiese Deosaran

What Would It Look Like to Direct $6 Billion to Feminist Movements by 2026?

Analiese Deosaran
Swatee Deepak on her recent report and the future of feminist philanthropy
Introducing Proximate East Africa
Vincent Mwangi

Introducing Proximate East Africa

Vincent Mwangi
A newsroom exploring participatory problem-solving approaches across East Africa
Kenya’s Community Foundation Is Challenging the Dependency Mindset
Vincent Mwangi

Kenya’s Community Foundation Is Challenging the Dependency Mindset

Vincent Mwangi
A community-led approach to development
Beyond Feel-Good: Funding Faceless Impact
Margot Hinchey

Beyond Feel-Good: Funding Faceless Impact

Margot Hinchey
We need to invest time, resources, and knowledge in local leaders and communities to support them
Unlocking Abundance: A Conversation about DAF Reform in the Pacific Northwest
Proximate

Unlocking Abundance: A Conversation about DAF Reform in the Pacific Northwest

Proximate
Magic Cabinet and Proximate gathered philanthropy leaders in June to discuss paths to reform for donor-advised funds
Behind the Donor Revolt for Charity Reform
Meg Massey

Behind the Donor Revolt for Charity Reform

Meg Massey
Bella DeVaan on where DAFs do (and don't) work best, and what today's movement has in common with the Gilded Age
Reimagining Philanthropy: The Power and Responsibility of Grants Managers
Rachel Kimber

Reimagining Philanthropy: The Power and Responsibility of Grants Managers

Rachel Kimber
If we are brave, reflective and collaborative, grants managers can harness positional power to drive change in philanthropy
Want Effective Philanthropy? Look to the Global South
Isabelle Clérié

Want Effective Philanthropy? Look to the Global South

Isabelle Clérié
The debate around a recent SSIR cover story misses the global perspective
How Canada’s Foundation for Black Communities is Using Participatory Grantmaking
Sherlyn Assam

How Canada’s Foundation for Black Communities is Using Participatory Grantmaking

Sherlyn Assam
The funder is investing $9 million to set an example for Canada’s philanthropic sector
Introducing… Beyond Elections
Pam Bailey

Introducing… Beyond Elections

Pam Bailey
What if democracy could be so much more than what we think it is?
When Will the United States Start Taking Citizens’ Assemblies Seriously?
Pam Bailey

When Will the United States Start Taking Citizens’ Assemblies Seriously?

Pam Bailey
Citizens’ assemblies are increasingly popular in Europe and Canada. But not in the United States. How come?
In Conflict Zones, Could Democracy Work Without Elections?
Proximate

In Conflict Zones, Could Democracy Work Without Elections?

Proximate
Iain Walker offers on the role of participatory democracy in areas without a working government – and why attempts to solve conflicts often fail
Introducing: Equity Overhaul by Rachel Kimber
Rachel Kimber

Introducing: Equity Overhaul by Rachel Kimber

Rachel Kimber
A new column by Rachel Kimber on the journey to shape equity in grants management
The Beautiful Curse: Who Owns Impact?
Isabelle Clérié

The Beautiful Curse: Who Owns Impact?

Isabelle Clérié
Donors bring an investment mindset to development. That needs to change
As Authoritarian Regimes Tighten Their Grip, Can Donors Bridge the Trust Gap in CEECCNA?
Ben Wrobel

As Authoritarian Regimes Tighten Their Grip, Can Donors Bridge the Trust Gap in CEECCNA?

Ben Wrobel
The Dalan Fund has a new vision for locally-led grantmaking in Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central and North Asia
You Don’t Have to Choose One: Let’s Integrate Participatory Budgeting and Citizens’ Assemblies
Nick Vlahos

You Don’t Have to Choose One: Let’s Integrate Participatory Budgeting and Citizens’ Assemblies

Nick Vlahos
The two most important democratic innovations of the last 30 years have developed in parallel but not in unison
Humanqind's Vision: Children Co-Designing Safer Streets
Proximate

Humanqind's Vision: Children Co-Designing Safer Streets

Proximate
Ruchi Varma has a vision for designing safer school zones that involves asking children as young as nine what they should look like
What the UN's Loss & Damage Fund Can Learn from Scotland’s Prototype
Jessica Newfield

What the UN's Loss & Damage Fund Can Learn from Scotland’s Prototype

Jessica Newfield
Our series Loss & Damage explores what it would look like to localize climate funding
Depois da Ruptura da Barragem, Fundo Brumadinho está Repensando a Filantropia
Joana Ribeiro Mortari

Depois da Ruptura da Barragem, Fundo Brumadinho está Repensando a Filantropia

Joana Ribeiro Mortari
Um fundo liderado pela comunidade tem um modelo único e baseado em confiança para distribuição de doações pode ser um exemplo para o Rio Grande do Sul
Diane Pereira Sousa’s Vision for Community Philanthropy in Brazil
Ben Wrobel

Diane Pereira Sousa’s Vision for Community Philanthropy in Brazil

Ben Wrobel
We spoke with the founder of Baixada Institute about the need to hold honest conversations between donors and communities
O campo filantrópico precisa confiar nos verdadeiros especialistas – as pessoas que são apoiadas por ele
Cynthia M. Gibson, Lisa Pilar Cowan, Jocelynne Rainey & Joana Ribeiro Mortari

O campo filantrópico precisa confiar nos verdadeiros especialistas – as pessoas que são apoiadas por ele

Cynthia M. Gibson, Lisa Pilar Cowan, Jocelynne Rainey & Joana Ribeiro Mortari
A reação à filantropia baseada na confiança veio à tona. É hora de os líderes doadores de base comunitária responderem
The Canoes of Community Philanthropy in Brazil
Diane Pereira Sousa

The Canoes of Community Philanthropy in Brazil

Diane Pereira Sousa
Canoes working together are better than boats with just one captain; so too with philanthropy
What I learned from reading 175 participatory grantmaking resources
Kelley Buhles

What I learned from reading 175 participatory grantmaking resources

Kelley Buhles
From self-assessment tools to resources on how to do the inner work, there's a lot of help out there
Community Philanthropy: Money is Power, But Knowledge Is Power Too
Tarisai Jangara

Community Philanthropy: Money is Power, But Knowledge Is Power Too

Tarisai Jangara
An interview about community philanthropy with the leaders of Rede Comuá
The Revolutionary Art of the Sex Worker’s Opera
Chloe Marshall

The Revolutionary Art of the Sex Worker’s Opera

Chloe Marshall
The opera grew from a community arts project into an international sellout show - and resisted opportunities to sell out along the way
Village Capital’s model for peer due diligence
Kevin McClendon

Village Capital’s model for peer due diligence

Kevin McClendon
Deepak Menon on using a unique model to support social enterprises in India, from civic tech to climate innovation
Investindo Em Pessoas Que Transformam Realidades
Diane Pereira Sousa

Investindo Em Pessoas Que Transformam Realidades

Diane Pereira Sousa
Canoas trabalhando juntas são melhores do que um barco com apenas um capitão; assim também é a filantropia
Nossa visão para a Proximate Brasil
Joana Ribeiro Mortari

Nossa visão para a Proximate Brasil

Joana Ribeiro Mortari
Uma investigação sobre a abordagem participativa ao buscar soluções para desafios do Brasil, por brasileiros
The Story of the Half-Built Road
Isabelle Clérié

The Story of the Half-Built Road

Isabelle Clérié
Three lessons from a human-based approach to international development
After the Dam Broke, Fundo Brumadinho Is Rethinking Philanthropy
Joana Ribeiro Mortari

After the Dam Broke, Fundo Brumadinho Is Rethinking Philanthropy

Joana Ribeiro Mortari
Brumadinho's unique, trust-based grantmaking model can be an example for Rio Grande do Sul
Marlene Engelhorn is paying 50 strangers to give away her fortune – here's how it works
Proximate

Marlene Engelhorn is paying 50 strangers to give away her fortune – here's how it works

Proximate
We spoke with the team behind Guter Rat, the $27 million experiment that merges participatory grantmaking and citizens assemblies
Five Memorable Recent Films by Sex Workers
Chloe Marshall

Five Memorable Recent Films by Sex Workers

Chloe Marshall
Grab some popcorn and check out these films that screened at Whorehouse Cinema and the Red Umbrella Film Festival
Musical Theatre as Artistic Activism
Imogen Flower

Musical Theatre as Artistic Activism

Imogen Flower
An excerpt from Dr. Imogen Flower's academic study of the Sex Worker's Opera
What Does It Take for Government to Reform Philanthropy? Yonis Hassan Found Out
Kevin McClendon

What Does It Take for Government to Reform Philanthropy? Yonis Hassan Found Out

Kevin McClendon
Justice Fund Toronto pushed a law that's forcing Canadian millionaires to give away more of their money
Are Young Philanthropists Driving Participatory Philanthropy?
Abigail Higgins and Ben Wrobel

Are Young Philanthropists Driving Participatory Philanthropy?

Abigail Higgins and Ben Wrobel
With $68 trillion coming their way, Millennial and Gen Z donors are pushing grassroots models
The Youth Climate Justice Fund Is Building Power for Young Leaders in the Global South
Ben Wrobel

The Youth Climate Justice Fund Is Building Power for Young Leaders in the Global South

Ben Wrobel
Forty grantees have been chosen through a unique participatory process
Justice Funds is Bridging the Information Gap for Global South Activists
Proximate

Justice Funds is Bridging the Information Gap for Global South Activists

Proximate
Paz Romero and Julia Chacur on the importance of sharing global grant opportunities
Beyond Letting Go: Recentering Grassroots Leaders
Ben Wrobel and Meg Massey

Beyond Letting Go: Recentering Grassroots Leaders

Ben Wrobel and Meg Massey
This double issue takes two approaches to the question of how to shift power to the grassroots
Philanthropy Needs to Trust the Real Experts — The People It Supports
Cynthia M. Gibson, Lisa Pilar Cowan & Jocelynne Rainey

Philanthropy Needs to Trust the Real Experts — The People It Supports

Cynthia M. Gibson, Lisa Pilar Cowan & Jocelynne Rainey
The backlash to trust-based philanthropy has come out into the open. It's time for grassroots grantmaking leaders to respond.
Is This Community Philanthropy’s Moment?
Ledys Sanjuan Mejía

Is This Community Philanthropy’s Moment?

Ledys Sanjuan Mejía
The second Shift The Power Summit once again gave voice to the community philanthropy movement. Will donors listen?
What's Next for the Decolonizing Wealth Project?
Proximate

What's Next for the Decolonizing Wealth Project?

Proximate
We spoke with Amber Banks about DWP's participatory funding model and their work in the Global South
Introducing: Repairing Development by Isabelle Clérié
Isabelle Clérié

Introducing: Repairing Development by Isabelle Clérié

Isabelle Clérié
A new column for Proximate on community philanthropy and asset-based community development
Four Pieces of Advice for Participatory Grantmakers In Aotearoa New Zealand
Lani Evans and Christina Howard

Four Pieces of Advice for Participatory Grantmakers In Aotearoa New Zealand

Lani Evans and Christina Howard
Be prepared to bend your own rules – and be prepared for transformation
Perspective: How The Seventh Wave Curates Our Calls For Submissions
Joyce Chen and Bretty Rawson

Perspective: How The Seventh Wave Curates Our Calls For Submissions

Joyce Chen and Bretty Rawson
The Seattle literary magazine uses a participatory process to set editorial strategy
How Puerto Ricans are Collectively Designing their Just Recovery
Carlos Berríos Polanco

How Puerto Ricans are Collectively Designing their Just Recovery

Carlos Berríos Polanco
A women-led participatory design agency is helping redesign community water systems, urban gardens and parks
Community Land Banks: An Alternative to Displacement in Puerto Rico?
Carlos Berríos Polanco

Community Land Banks: An Alternative to Displacement in Puerto Rico?

Carlos Berríos Polanco
A new approach seeks to combat the growing lack of affordable housing across the archipelago
Cómo los puertorriqueños diseñan su recuperación justa colectivamente
Carlos Berríos Polanco

Cómo los puertorriqueños diseñan su recuperación justa colectivamente

Carlos Berríos Polanco
Una organización de diseño participativo liderada por mujeres ayuda a comunidades a diseñar infraestructura de agua, huertos urbanos y parques.
Is a £100 million participatory fund the solution to the UK's journalism crisis?
Kelly Bewers

Is a £100 million participatory fund the solution to the UK's journalism crisis?

Kelly Bewers
A more democratic media will require alternative funding models – and more
BIPOC Media Leaders Welcome Press Forward… With Caution
Sherrell Dorsey

BIPOC Media Leaders Welcome Press Forward… With Caution

Sherrell Dorsey
Publishers and news leaders ask how equity will fit into funders' vision of "saving the news"
Bancos de tierras comunitarias: ¿una alternativa al desplazamiento en Puerto Rico?
Carlos Berríos Polanco

Bancos de tierras comunitarias: ¿una alternativa al desplazamiento en Puerto Rico?

Carlos Berríos Polanco
Estrategias emergentes buscan combatir la creciente escasez de viviendas asequibles en el archipiélago.
BuildPalestine Is Betting on Social Innovation as a Tool for Liberation
Proximate

BuildPalestine Is Betting on Social Innovation as a Tool for Liberation

Proximate
The Palestinian social entrepreneur hub was deplatformed – but has doubled down on its commitment to community investment
Excerpt: Our Brave Foremothers in Community-Driven Journalism
Rozella Kennedy

Excerpt: Our Brave Foremothers in Community-Driven Journalism

Rozella Kennedy
A look at three women in American history who paved the way for people-powered media
Editor's Note: A Year of Movement
Proximate

Editor's Note: A Year of Movement

Proximate
2023 saw philanthropy define terms, push past comfort zones, and move money in new ways
Soheir Asaad on Philanthropy, Palestine, and the Danger of Fragile Solidarity
Ben Wrobel

Soheir Asaad on Philanthropy, Palestine, and the Danger of Fragile Solidarity

Ben Wrobel
Rawa Fund is holding donors accountable for cutting funds to the grassroots
So We All Win: Democratizing the Energy Transition
Anna Gorman

So We All Win: Democratizing the Energy Transition

Anna Gorman
One by one, cooperatives and crowdfunding projects are taking back control of our energy system.
A New Tool Pushes Foundations Beyond Participatory Grantmaking
Proximate

A New Tool Pushes Foundations Beyond Participatory Grantmaking

Proximate
Katy Love and Diana Samarasan on the launch of the Advancing Participation in Philanthropy Tool
Arianne Shaffer on Four Years of Flow Funding
Kevin McClendon

Arianne Shaffer on Four Years of Flow Funding

Kevin McClendon
Kindle Project is a leader on flow funding, including their recent cohort with indigenous women
Are Donor Collaboratives Better for the Grassroots?
Ledys Sanjuan Mejía

Are Donor Collaboratives Better for the Grassroots?

Ledys Sanjuan Mejía
Forty percent of collaboratives use participatory grantmaking. But are all collaboratives more inclusive?
A Different Kind of Film Festival in Amsterdam
Chloe Marshall

A Different Kind of Film Festival in Amsterdam

Chloe Marshall
This summer, sex workers came together to celebrate cinema – and challenge the traditional film festival model
The Rise of Participatory ESOs
Jessica Newfield and Kevin McClendon

The Rise of Participatory ESOs

Jessica Newfield and Kevin McClendon
Entrepreneur support organizations are driving inclusive innovation through collaborative decision-making
Philanthropy on the Blockchain
Emily Rasmussen

Philanthropy on the Blockchain

Emily Rasmussen
Grapevine’s founder on how DAOs and giving circles increasingly intersect
What’s Next for DAF Reform?
Kaila Philo

What’s Next for DAF Reform?

Kaila Philo
After the ACE Act, advocates are exploring paths to reform through Congress, Treasury and on the state level
Can a New Survey of Fiscal Sponsors Drive a Conversation on Commoning?
Ben Wrobel

Can a New Survey of Fiscal Sponsors Drive a Conversation on Commoning?

Ben Wrobel
Thaddeus Squire wants to push the field of fiscal sponsorship in new, equitable directions
Report Roundup: December 2023
Proximate

Report Roundup: December 2023

Proximate
We read several recent reports about grassroots grantmaking... and pulled out the highlights
5 Minutes with… Ledys Sanjuan Mejía
Proximate

5 Minutes with… Ledys Sanjuan Mejía

Proximate
Who funds the funders? Fenomenal Funds used PGM principles to resource women’s funds during the pandemic
A participação pode ajudar a reavivar a confiança na democracia brasileira?
Marcela Martins

A participação pode ajudar a reavivar a confiança na democracia brasileira?

Marcela Martins
Meses após o ataque ao Congresso Nacional, o Presidente Lula está apostando em uma nova plataforma para dar voz aos cidadãos em sua democracia
How We Did It: Building the PGM Community of Practice
Hannah Paterson

How We Did It: Building the PGM Community of Practice

Hannah Paterson
A reflection on the growth of the 1,500-person participatory grantmaking community
What Tool Should I Use to Survey My Community?
Kevin McClendon

What Tool Should I Use to Survey My Community?

Kevin McClendon
A new "Consumer Reports" for digital participation platforms, from People Powered
The Ukrainian Activists Taking on Big Philanthropy
Ben Wrobel

The Ukrainian Activists Taking on Big Philanthropy

Ben Wrobel
Less than 20% of humanitarian aid to Ukraine goes directly to grassroots NGOs. A coalition of Ukrainian activists is trying to change that
Editorial: Ground Game
Proximate

Editorial: Ground Game

Proximate
Moving money to unfamiliar places is hard. That’s why philanthropy leaders are innovating by shifting power to the grassroots
Tamira Benitez Wants to Help DC's Grassroots Leaders Heal
Ben Wrobel

Tamira Benitez Wants to Help DC's Grassroots Leaders Heal

Ben Wrobel
Two years into her tenure, the head of Diverse City Fund is leaning into healing support for the frontline organizers who do on-the-ground work
Research Roundup: Grassroots Grantmaking
Proximate

Research Roundup: Grassroots Grantmaking

Proximate
We read six reports about grassroots grantmaking, and pulled out the highlights
The Citizen Leaders Shaping Climate Policy
Meg Massey

The Citizen Leaders Shaping Climate Policy

Meg Massey
The Climate Democracy Accelerator is helping groups around the world build participatory climate projects
New Report Advocates For Participatory Banking
Proximate

New Report Advocates For Participatory Banking

Proximate
As the global banking system falters, Transform Finance shows how banks can mitigate risk by shifting power to community
What Happens When Creators Invest in Creators?
Ben Wrobel

What Happens When Creators Invest in Creators?

Ben Wrobel
As writers and actors continue to strike, the Midnight Oil Collective is testing a collaborative approach to funding the arts
In Conversation: Allie Burns on Peer-Selected Investment
Ben Wrobel

In Conversation: Allie Burns on Peer-Selected Investment

Ben Wrobel
A Q&A with Village Capital’s CEO on the occasion of their 150th cohort of peer-selected investment. What lessons have they learned?
A New Map of Participatory Grantmaking in the UK
Proximate

A New Map of Participatory Grantmaking in the UK

Proximate
The Advocacy Team surveyed UK grantmakers about participatory grantmaking and shared the results
Can Participatory Budgeting Revive Trust in Brazil's Democracy?
Marcela Martins

Can Participatory Budgeting Revive Trust in Brazil's Democracy?

Marcela Martins
Months after the attack on the National Congress, President Lula is betting on a new platform to give citizens a voice in their democracy
What We Learned From Chan Zuckerberg Initiative's PGM Report
Proximate

What We Learned From Chan Zuckerberg Initiative's PGM Report

Proximate
The foundation released a report reflecting on their experiment with participatory grantmaking
Growing #ShiftThePower in Kenya will Drive Durable Development
Wanjiru Kanyiha and Elizaphan Ogechi

Growing #ShiftThePower in Kenya will Drive Durable Development

Wanjiru Kanyiha and Elizaphan Ogechi
A movement is growing in Kenya to shift power to communities and people with lived experience
A Novel Way to Predict the Weather in Malawi
Rabson Kondowe

A Novel Way to Predict the Weather in Malawi

Rabson Kondowe
How Malawi's participatory weather forecasting project is helping farmers adapt to climate change
Food as Medicine? A Vermont Foodbank Tries Culturally-Relevant Food
Ben Wrobel

Food as Medicine? A Vermont Foodbank Tries Culturally-Relevant Food

Ben Wrobel
Vermont's largest food bank is responding to the state's growing diversity by offering culturally-relevant food
Essay: Participatory Grantmaking Changed My Mind About Sex Work
Anonymous

Essay: Participatory Grantmaking Changed My Mind About Sex Work

Anonymous
How one donor evolved her views on feminism after meeting sex workers through a grantmaking process
A Toolkit for Participatory Investing
Meg Massey

A Toolkit for Participatory Investing

Meg Massey
A new tool from Common Future offers a playbook for how foundations can shift power in investing
The Kamaʻāina Creatives Tackling Climate Change
Meg Massey

The Kamaʻāina Creatives Tackling Climate Change

Meg Massey
LUMIN/AERY is a new, experimental venture studio designed to invest in Hawai‘i creative talent
Can Real Participation Save Liberal Democracy?
Ben Wrobel and Meg Massey

Can Real Participation Save Liberal Democracy?

Ben Wrobel and Meg Massey
Three ideas for how to reengage citizens in democracy beyond elections, and revive trust in the democratic process
Putting Patients at the Heart of Medical Research
Jess Rimington and Joanna L. Cea

Putting Patients at the Heart of Medical Research

Jess Rimington and Joanna L. Cea
The Heart Research Alliance offers a new model for patient-centered care
Can Citizen Science Drive the Sustainable Development Goals?
Proximate

Can Citizen Science Drive the Sustainable Development Goals?

Proximate
A new collection of articles demonstrates the potential of citizen science to measure and drive the SDGs
Our Vision for Proximate Brasil
Joana Ribeiro Mortari

Our Vision for Proximate Brasil

Joana Ribeiro Mortari
An exploration of participatory problem-solving in Brazil, by Brazilians
Proximate
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