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Newsletter Grassroots Grantmaking July 2025

Grassroots Grantmaking

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Newsletter: Can funders support agroecology on its own terms?New stories on agroecology, DAFs, fiscal sponsorship and more Proximate

Guerrilla Foundation’s Coming of Age

Grassroots Grantmaking

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Guerrilla Foundation’s Coming of Age As its governance evolves, Guerrilla Foundation is testing what it means to align grantmaking strategy with values Anna Patton

Does Agroecology Funding Match Agroecology Needs?

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Does Agroecology Funding Match Agroecology Needs?Agroecology is gaining donors. But are movements gaining power?Ben Wrobel and Maria Balcazar Tellez

The Land Remembers As Communities Re-member Africa's Food Sovereignty

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The Land Remembers As Communities Re-member Africa's Food Sovereignty Agroecology and participatory funding are two sides of the same coin Vincent Mwangi

Inside a Movement-Led Strategy for Agroecology Funding

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Inside a Movement-Led Strategy for Agroecology Funding A conversation with Grassroots International on building movements, resisting cooptation, and bringing funders into the fold Proximate

Filantropia Estratégica no Divã

Proximate Brasil

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Filantropia Estratégica no Divã A Filantropia Estratégica entra na sala da terapista junguiana Joana Ribeiro Mortari

Strategic Philanthropy Goes to Therapy

Proximate Brasil

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Strategic Philanthropy Goes to Therapy Strategic Philanthropy enters the Jungian therapist's office.Joana Ribeiro Mortari

“A Flag in the Wilderness”: Inside the Philanthropy Project’s Push for Reform

Unlocking Abundance

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Inside the Philanthropy Project’s Push for Reform The Philanthropy Project is creating space for nonprofit practitioners to speak out for reform Grace Chai

From Temporary Incubators to Ecosystem Builders

Fiscal Sponsorship

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From Temporary Incubators to Ecosystem Builders We need to move beyond “up and out” to “up and in"Tatianna Montanez and Seth Kirshenbaum

What Is Agroecology – And Why Does It Matter?

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What Is Agroecology – And Why Does It Matter?Defining a movement at the intersection of food, land, and local knowledge Proximate

We’re Not Intermediaries. We’re Infrastructure.

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We’re Not Intermediaries. We’re Infrastructure.Activist funds aren’t just middlemen. We're part of the movement.Maria Amália Souza

What If We Funded Agroecology Differently?

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What If We Funded Agroecology Differently?Six Global South funds are modeling a more rooted and relational way to move money Paula Tanscheit

Reciprocity Should Become the New Standard for Working With Intermediaries

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Reciprocity Should Become the New Standard for Working With Intermediaries Why philanthropy’s “shopping list” approach to intermediaries is backfiring Cynthia Gibson and Maria Mottola

Predictions: The Future of Fiscal Sponsorship

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Predictions: The Future of Fiscal Sponsorship What’s next for the background infrastructure powering the grassroots?Proximate

“The Answer Is Us”: How Podáali Is Reclaiming Indigenous Philanthropy in the Amazon

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How Podáali Is Reclaiming Indigenous Philanthropy in the Amazon An interview with Rose Apurinã on trust, territory, and the power of Indigenous-led funding Joana Ribeiro Mortari

PartiPlay: A Fun New Approach To Education For Neurodivergent Students

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PartiPlay: A Fun New Approach To Education For Neurodivergent Students When neurodivergent kids design the game, the rules change Kadin McElwain

Fiscal Sponsorship Is Here to Stay

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Fiscal Sponsorship Is Here to Stay Fiscal sponsors will continue to enable Americans to support projects of their choice at a time when those in need are stranded by government cutbacks Greg Colvin

Funders will invest in the infrastructure of collaborative funds – not just the funds themselves

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Funders Will Invest in the Infrastructure of Collaborative Funds Collaborative funds are only as strong as their fiscal sponsors, and many are at breaking point Sampriti Ganguli

It’s Time to Rewrite the Job Description

Equity Overhaul

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It’s Time to Rewrite the Job Description A dispatch from PEAK2025 on how grants managers are leading on equity, tech adoption and institutional change Rachel Kimber

Fundraising Help Is No Longer Optional for Fiscal Sponsors

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Fundraising Help Is No Longer Optional for Fiscal Sponsors Sponsors can help projects close gaps in resourcing, build confidence, and unlock far more than we invest Alejandra García Lezama and Frank Gargione

As Philanthropy Wavers on Palestine, Organizers Look Forward – and to Each Other

Grassroots Grantmaking

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As Philanthropy Wavers on Palestine, Organizers Look Forward – and to Each Other In New York City, organizers reflect on the path forward as philanthropy withdraws under political pressure Neon Mashurov

Will Tech Startup Services Help – or Hurt – Fiscal Sponsorship?

Fiscal Sponsorship

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Will Tech Startup Services Help – or Hurt – Fiscal Sponsorship?As fiscal sponsorship evolves, several tech startups promise to ease administrative burdens... but some say they cause more headaches Anna Patton

The Gates Foundation is Spending Down. Will Others Follow?

Grassroots Grantmaking

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The Gates Foundation is Spending Down. Will Others Follow?We spoke with Glen Galaich on what Gates' plans mean for the debate over philanthropic perpetuity Ben Wrobel

Grassroots Grantmaking: Bill Gates Moves Past That “Weird Legacy Thing”

Grassroots Grantmaking

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Newsletter: Bill Gates’ “Weird Legacy Thing”These are changing times, and this month's issue reflects some pretty large shifts in the world of philanthropy.Proximate

Repairing Development • Issue 5: Is AI Catching On To #ShiftThePower?

Repairing Development Newsletter

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Newsletter: Is AI Catching On To #ShiftThePower?AI learns from what exists, so the more we talk about new models of development, the more we influence its baseline data about how money flows Isabelle Clérié

Beyond Elections

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Follow the money: participatory democracy in Ukraine?Two Ukrainian communities – Zvyahel and Slavutych – will hold their first citizens’ assemblies in October and November. Proximate

Proximate Launches Series on Community-Led Investing, Supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

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Proximate Launches Series on Community-Led Investing Journalism on compassionate investing will be supplemented with convenings that gather advocates, funders and community leaders Proximate

What Funders Get Wrong About Girls and Young Feminists

Grassroots Grantmaking

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What Funders Get Wrong About Girls and Young Feminists Two new reports from Our Collective Practice challenge funders to think about girls' organizing in a new way Proximate

É possível dizer que a filantropia expressa as chamadas características femininas?

Proximate Brasil

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É possível dizer que a filantropia expressa as chamadas características femininas?A filantropia feminina está mudando o sistema - ou apenas a ótica? Um olhar fundamentado sobre gênero e doações Joana Ribeiro Mortari e Patricia Kunrath

Fiscally Sponsored for the Long Haul

Fiscal Sponsorship

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Fiscally Sponsored for the Long Haul Why some fiscally sponsored projects choose not to spin out – and stick around for good Jennifer Krazit

Let's Build the Field of Philanthropic Advising: A Call to Action

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Let's Build the Field of Philanthropic Advising Now more than ever, this disperse field needs coordination and collaboration. Let’s connect the dots.Chrissy Garton

Land, Power, and Collectivity: New Paths Within Philanthropy

Proximate Brasil

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Land, Power, and Collectivity: New Paths Within Philanthropy How two pioneers in participatory land management are embracing collective decision-making Aline Khouri

We Can Do Public Meetings Better

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We Can Do Public Meetings Better Disastrous town hall meetings are becoming a familiar part of the American fabric. It doesn’t have to be that way Susan Charland

A New Lifeline for Nonprofits and Movements: Why It's Time to Consider the PBC model

Rethinking Resources

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A New Lifeline for Nonprofits and Movements: Why It's Time to Consider the PBC model With social impact organizations under attack, the Public Benefit Corporation route has never been timelier Michael Gilligan

Como o Fundo Casa direciona recursos para as organizações de base no Brasil

Proximate Brasil

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Como o Fundo Casa direciona recursos para as organizações de base no Brasil Maria Amália Souza está tentando mudar a forma como o dinheiro flui para proteger a Amazônia Ben Wrobel

Resumo de Relatórios: Proximate Brasil

Proximate Brasil

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Resumo de Relatórios: Proximate Brasil Lemos vários relatórios sobre a mudança de poder na filantropia e selecionamos os destaques Proximate

Report Roundup: Proximate Brasil

Proximate Brasil

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Report Roundup: Proximate Brasil We read several recent reports on shifting power in philanthropy – and pulled out the highlights Proximate

Filantropia na blockchain

Aprofundando a Filantropia

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Filantropia na blockchain A fundadora da Grapevine fala sobre como os DAOs e os círculos de doação se cruzam cada vez mais Emily Rasmussen (tradução e reflexão final: Joana Mortari)

'Ensuring that the Community Endures'

Proximate Brasil

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'Ensuring that the Community Endures'Challenges and opportunities for territorial philanthropy and Buen Vivir Renata Saavedra

Terra, Poder e Coletividade: novos caminhos dentro da filantropia

Proximate Brasil

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Terra, Poder e Coletividade: novos caminhos dentro da filantropia Como dois pioneiros em gestão participativa da terra estão adotando processos de decisão coletiva Aline Khouri

The Protagonism of Black Women in the Third Sector: Invisibility and Recognition

Proximate Brasil

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The Protagonism of Black Women in the Third Sector Most black women in Brazil’s grassroots and territorial organizations work informally – reinforcing inequalities Luana Batista

'Garantir que a comunidade permaneça'

Proximate Brasil

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'Garantir que a comunidade permaneça'Desafios e oportunidades para uma filantropia territorial e pelo bem viver Renata Saavedra

East Africa Connect: Advancing Collaboration for Impact

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Proximate In Person

East Africa Connect Advancing Collaboration for Impact The launch of the Opportunity Collaboration East Africa Chapter Vincent Mwangi

How Fiscal Sponsors Can Help Nonprofits Survive Political Threats

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How Fiscal Sponsors Can Help Nonprofits Survive Political Threats Take these eight steps today to prepare new structures of support Thaddeus Squire

Is it possible to say that philanthropy expresses so-called feminine characteristics?

Proximate Brasil

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Is it possible to say that philanthropy expresses so-called feminine characteristics?Is feminine philanthropy changing the system—or just the optics? A grounded look at gender and giving Joana Ribeiro Mortari and Patrícia Kunrath Silva

How the Casa Fund Drives Resources to Brazil’s Grassroots

Aprofundando a Filantropia

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How the Casa Fund Drives Resources to Brazil’s Grassroots Maria Amália Souza is trying to rewire how money flows to protect the Amazon Proximate

Inside a Peer-Governed Fiscal Sponsor

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Inside a Peer-Governed Fiscal Sponsor Movement Sustainability Commons and other sponsors are starting to involve grassroots leaders in budgeting, hiring, and strategy decisions Natalie Blackmur

O Protagonismo das Mulheres Negras no Terceiro Setor: Invisibilidade e Reconhecimento

Proximate Brasil

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O Protagonismo das Mulheres Negras no Terceiro Setor Mulheres negras atuam como voluntárias em bases locais, sem remuneração, o que reforça desigualdades já naturalizadas.Luana Batista

Imperial Valley’s New Endowment – and What It Represents

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Imperial Valley’s New Endowment – and What It Represents Why one California foundation chose to shift assets — not just grants — to a more proximate foundation Proximate

Half Her DAF: A Conversation with Jen Risher

Unlocking Abundance

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Half Her DAF: A Conversation with Jen Risher The co-founder of #HalfMyDAF talks about wealth, money stories, and what’s next for DAF reform Meg Massey

A New Book Shares Evidence on Participatory Grantmaking

Grassroots Grantmaking

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A New Book Shares Evidence on Participatory Grantmaking Twelve research papers shine a light on participatory models and approaches Ben Wrobel

Proximate is an independent media platform covering movements for participatory problem-solving. We look at the news through the lens of money: how it’s given away, how it’s invested, and how it’s distributed by government.
We are a fiscally sponsored project of Movement Strategy Center.

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