Explore Our Articles

Grassroots Grantmaking

From trust-based philanthropy to participatory philanthropy, keeping up with the latest in participation.

Rethinking Resources

As traditional funders freeze, what’s next? An exploration into the uncertain future for grassroots movements.

Unlocking Abundance: DAF Reform

Nearly two trillion dollars sit in DAF accounts. How can more money reach communities?

The Future of Fiscal Sponsorship

Fiscal sponsors steward billions in philanthropic dollars. But they could do so much more.

Citizen Science

Community-Driven Journalism

State of Rebuilding

Exploring the durable power of participatory governance models in conflict-ridden and failed states.

How We Gather

The “how” of public meetings is just as important as what is discussed. How can they function better?

Participatory Investing: Nuts & Bolts

Exploring the “how” of participatory investing, from designing a fund to facilitating community conversations.

Solutions Journalism: Solidarity Economy

Our collection of solutions journalism on grassroots economic models around the world.

Tech and Democracy

What tool should I use to survey my community? Diving into what’s out there today.

Repairing Development

Localizing Loss & Damage

Participatory Investing: Accountability Games

How do institutions in US cities negotiate with communities to invest untaxed dollars?

Working It: Creative Control

Stories of sex workers taking control of their representation in media

Collections

Grassroots Grantmaking

From trust-based philanthropy to participatory philanthropy, keeping up with the latest in participation.

Rethinking Resources

As traditional funders freeze, what’s next? An exploration into the uncertain future for grassroots movements.

Repairing Development

Exploring the state international development and movements to shift power and reform it.

Unlocking Abundance: DAF Reform

Nearly two trillion dollars sit in DAF accounts. How can more money reach communities?

DAF Reform

The Future of Fiscal Sponsorship

Fiscal sponsors steward billions in philanthropic dollars. But they could do so much more.

Equity Overhaul

Equity Overhaul explores the state of equitable grants management in the United States.

Homegrown Horizons

Aprofundando a Filantropia

A perspective into participatory and trust-based philanthropy from Brazil. In Portuguese and English.

brasil

Citizen Science

Community-Driven Journalism

From Protest to Participation

State of Rebuilding

Exploring the durable power of participatory governance models in conflict-ridden and failed states.

How We Gather

The “how” of public meetings is just as important as what is discussed. How can they function better?

Participatory Investing: Nuts & Bolts

Exploring the “how” of participatory investing, from designing a fund to facilitating community conversations.

Rebuilding States

Solutions Journalism: Solidarity Economy

Our collection of solutions journalism on grassroots economic models around the world.

Tech and Democracy

What tool should I use to survey my community? Diving into what’s out there today.

Repairing Development

Localizing Loss & Damage

Participatory Investing: Accountability Games

How do institutions in US cities negotiate with communities to invest untaxed dollars?

Aprofundando a Filantropia

Perspectivas e provocações sobre a mudança de poder no campo da filantropia brasileira. Em português e inglês.

brazil

Working It: Creative Control

Stories of sex workers taking control of their representation in media

Brasil

A collaboration between Proximate and Philó to explore participatory problem-solving in Brazil

brazil

East Africa

A collaboration between Proximate and Mama Hope to explore participatory problem-solving in East Africa

Samip

Articles

Violence is a Community Problem that Must be Solved by the Community

State of Rebuilding

Q&A

Residents in Yumbo, Colombia, brainstorm solutions to urban violence

Crisis Response: The Timely Mandate of the Global Resilience Fund

We spoke with Laura Vergara and Ruby Johnson about their work to fund girls and young feminists on the frontlines

How to Fund the Girls You Want to Run the World

Young people are changing the world. Trust them with resources.

Angelika Arutyunova and Lariza Fonseca

How to Fund the Girls You Want to Run the World

A New Book on Participatory Grantmaking

Grassroots Grantmaking

Field Note

There’s a new book called Participatory Grantmaking in Philanthropy coming out in 2025.

Proximate

Field Note: A New Book on Participatory Grantmaking

RWJF Reflects on Participatory Philanthropy

Grassroots Grantmaking

Field Note

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is the latest major foundation to experiment with PGM and they released a case study of their pilot phase.

Proximate

Field Note: RWJF Reflects on Participatory Philanthropy