Welcome to my site on participatory grantmaking! This site is my final project for an Independent Study with Dr. Amanda Stewart for the Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from NC State University. When I landed on this topic of interest for my Independent Study, I struggled to find one comprehensive source of information covering the history of participatory grantmaking, its role in dismantling systemic racism in philanthropy, and practical examples of its use today. So, I was challenged to create my own. 

My hope for this website is that it serve you, the reader, as a jumping-off point – that it answers your most basic of questions, giving you a bird's eye view of participatory grantmaking, and leaving you with more questions. I do not claim this site to be a "one-stop shop," or myself as an expert. I'm simply a very curious graduate student who took a deep dive into the subject with a goal to share my knowledge. I welcome your critiques, questions, and your own deep dives. 

How to Use This Site:

You can't know where to go without knowing where you've been. Before digging into participatory grantmaking, you need a foundational understanding of philanthropy – its benefits, harms, history, and opportunities. If you're a graduate student at NC State, I'm guessing by the time you come across my site, you'll already have this part down.

But just in case, here's how I recommend navigating the site:

• First, head to the page, "Philanthropy 101" for a download on its sector-wide and systemic issues. It's been a bumpy road, y'all, I'm not going to lie. Philanthropy often leads to further harm and supports the wealth gap. But! There's so much opportunity to fill in those dangerous potholes and build a better road. 

• One such opportunity is (spoiler alert!) participatory grantmaking! This page has everything – definitions, frameworks, examples, success stories, my own queries, and more.

• Finally, if you're thinking "Okay, this is cool, but I need more," I got you. Head to the last page, "Resource Hub." This houses anything and everything I found to be relevant to this site, and I hope you use it to dig deeper into your own queries. 

• And, if you're thinking "Who is this person talking to me through a website like we're in conversation together??" That's me, Berkeley! While I understand this site serves as my final project for a professional, graduate certificate, I find academic talk to be tough on my ADHD brain and, frankly, a wee bit boring at times. So, throughout this site, I've taken my subject seriously, and written as if we're colleagues and peers.