At Proximate, we write about innovative, systems-level models that shift power to people with lived experience.
The song reflects a past era of development that led to decades of error
Vincent MwangiIt's been a busy year – and we're excited for what's to come
Ben WrobelClimate leaders in SF and Detroit are cultivating their own sustainable food systems
Kevin McClendonHere are the stories that generated the most reads and the most conversation this past year
ProximateWhere will the money come from for feminist organizing? We need to look to the global majority
Angelika Arutyunova, Amina Doherty, and Leila HessiniResidents in Yumbo, Colombia, brainstorm solutions to urban violence
Pam BaileyYoung people are changing the world. Trust them with resources.
Angelika Arutyunova and Lariza FonsecaAre we progressing or digressing? A new column by Vincent Mwangi
Vincent MwangiA new column for Proximate Brasil on regenerative philanthropic practices
Joana Ribeiro MortariUma nova coluna para o Proximate Brasil sobre filantrópicas contemporâneas
Joana Ribeiro MortariLemos vários relatórios sobre a mudança de poder na filantropia e selecionamos os destaques
ProximateWe read several recent reports on shifting power in philanthropy – and pulled out the highlights
ProximateWe spoke with Rodrigo Rubido about what makes a practice truly participatory
Falamos com Rodrigo Rubido sobre o que faz uma prática realmente participatória.
O Kindle Project é líder em flow funding, incluindo sua recente grupo de mulheres indígenas
Kevin McClendon e Ben WrobelUm doador e um flow funder compartilham suas visões sobre filantropia, autonomia e reparação
Caroline Amanda e Camila HaddadA donor and a flow funder share their views on philanthropy, autonomy and reparations
Caroline Amanda and Camila HaddadSome see fiscal hosting as a way to reduce barriers for small organizations and collectives – up to a point
Joana Ribeiro MortariAlguns enxergam a representação fiscal como uma forma de reduzir as barreiras para pequenas organizações e coletivos - até certo ponto.
Joana Ribeiro MortariFrom grizzly bears to birds to bats, citizen science tools are helping scientists track and save species
Fiona GarrityCitizens' assemblies are on the agenda for the political group
Pamela Bailey"Because I said so" is not an effective parenting strategy, and it fails as a philanthropic approach as well
Rozella KennedyOral reporting and other innovations can be better, fairer and easier on grantees
Rachel KimberJonathan Kifunda on the challenges of returning to his community from an international NGO
Jonathan KifundaHere's where you can find conversations on localizing climate solutions, from philanthropy to the grassroots
Ben WrobelGerry Roll offers an alternative to the either-or dynamic around DAF reform – arguing that not all DAF sponsors are created equal
Grace ChaiAs foundations wait on federal DAF legislation, some are taking matters into their own hands and taking back control from donors
Kaila PhiloThe constant battle between individual versus collective leadership and decision-making
Diana Samarasan and Catherine Hyde TownsendIntegrity starts with how we live our lives; so does democracy
Pam BaileyWe need to move to a healthy ecosystem of diverse democracies
Josh LernerZimbabwe’s climate strategy isn't responsive to rural communities; Green Institute engaged citizens to change that.
ProximateJon Alexander on how “circular power politics” could help politicians buy in to citizen participation
ProximateDisastrous town hall meetings are becoming a familiar part of the American fabric. It doesn’t have to be that way
Susan CharlandFiscal sponsorship is increasingly seen as one solution to the challenges of localization
Anna PattonFarmers in Kasasa are experimenting with a democratic model to invest profits from the sale of maize
Solutions Now AfricaSwatee Deepak on her recent report and the future of feminist philanthropy
Analiese DeosaranA new space to explore participatory problem-solving approaches across East Africa
Vincent MwangiA community-led approach to development
Vincent MwangiWe need to invest time, resources, and knowledge in local leaders and communities to support them
Margot HincheyMagic Cabinet and Proximate gathered philanthropy leaders in June to discuss paths to reform for donor-advised funds
ProximateBella DeVaan of the Charity Reform Initiative on the latest movement for DAF reform
Meg MasseyGrants managers can harness positional power to drive meaningful change in the landscape of philanthropy
Rachel KimberThe debate around a recent SSIR cover story misses the global perspective
Isabelle ClériéThe funder is investing $9 million to set an example for Canada’s philanthropic sector
Sherlyn AssamWhat if democracy could be so much more than what we think it is?
Pam BaileyCitizens’ assemblies are increasingly popular in Europe and Canada. But not in the United States. How come?
Pam BaileyIain Walker offers on the role of participatory democracy in areas without a working government – and why attempts to solve conflicts often fail
ProximateA new column by Rachel Kimber on the journey to shape equity in grants management
Rachel KimberDonors bring an investment mindset to development. That needs to change
Isabelle ClériéThe Dalan Fund is shifting power in grantmaking to Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central and North Asia
Ben WrobelThe two most important democratic innovations of the last 30 years have developed in parallel but not in unison
Nick VlahosRuchi Varma has a vision for designing safer school zones that involves asking children as young as nine what they should look like
ProximateOur series Loss & Damage explores what it would look like to localize climate funding
Jessica NewfieldUm fundo liderado pela comunidade tem um modelo baseado em confiança único para doações que pode ser um exemplo para o Rio Grande do Sul
Joana Ribeiro MortariWe spoke with the founder of Baixada Institute about the need to hold honest conversations between donors and communities
Ben WrobelA reação à filantropia baseada na confiança veio à tona. É hora de os líderes doadores de base comunitária responderem.
Cynthia M. Gibson, Lisa Pilar Cowan, Jocelynne Rainey & Joana Ribeiro MortariCanoes working together are better than boats with just one captain; so too with philanthropy
Diane Pereira SousaWhat I Learned from Reading 175 Participatory Grantmaking Resources
Kelley BuhlesAn interview about community philanthropy with the leaders of Rede Comuá
Tarisai JangaraThe opera grew from a community arts project into an international sellout show - and resisted opportunities to sell out along the way
Chloe MarshallDeepak Menon on using a unique model to support social enterprises in India, from civic tech to climate innovation
Kevin McClendonCanoas trabalhando juntas são melhores do que um barco com apenas um capitão; assim também é a filantropia
Diane Pereira SousaUma investigação sobre a abordagem participativa ao buscar soluções para desafios do Brasil, por brasileiros
Joana Ribeiro MortariThree lessons from a human-based approach to development
Isabelle ClériéA community-led fund has a unique, trust-based model for distributing grants can be an example for Rio Grande do Sul
Joana Ribeiro MortariGuter Rat is an experiment that merges participatory grantmaking and citizens assemblies
ProximateGrab some popcorn and check out these films that screened at Whorehouse Cinema and the Red Umbrella Film Festival
Chloe MarshallAn excerpt from Dr. Imogen Flower's academic study of the Sex Worker's Opera
Imogen FlowerJustice Fund Toronto pushed a law that's forcing Canadian millionaires to give away more of their money
Kevin McClendonWith $68 trillion on the line, young donors at Resource Generation and elsewhere are pushing grassroots models
Abigail Higgins and Ben WrobelForty grantees have been chosen through a unique participatory process
Ben WrobelPaz Romero and Julia Chacur on the importance of sharing global grant opportunities
ProximateThis double issue takes two approaches to the question of how to shift power to the grassroots
Ben Wrobel and Meg MasseyBacklash to trust-based philanthropy has come out into the open; it's time for grassroots grantmaking leaders to respond
Cynthia M. Gibson, Lisa Pilar Cowan & Jocelynne RaineyThe second Shift The Power Summit gave voice to the community philanthropy movement. Will donors listen?
Ledys Sanjuan MejíaWe spoke with Amber Banks about DWP's participatory model and their work in the Global South
ProximateA new column for Proximate on community philanthropy and asset-based community development
Isabelle ClériéBe prepared to bend your own rules – and be prepared for transformation
Lani Evans and Christina HowardThe Seattle literary magazine uses a participatory process to set editorial strategy
Joyce Chen and Bretty RawsonA women-led participatory design agency is helping redesign community water systems, urban gardens and parks
Carlos Berríos PolancoA new approach seeks to combat the growing lack of affordable housing across the archipelago
Carlos Berríos PolancoUna organización de diseño participativo liderada por mujeres ayuda a comunidades a diseñar infraestructura de agua, huertos urbanos y parques.
Carlos Berríos PolancoA more democratic media will require alternative funding models – and more
Kelly BewersPublishers ask: how does equity fit into the goal of "saving the news"?
Sherrell DorseyEstrategias emergentes buscan combatir la creciente escasez de viviendas asequibles en el archipiélago.
Carlos Berríos PolancoThe Palestinian social entrepreneur hub was deplatformed – but has doubled down on its commitment to community investment
ProximateA look at three women in American history who paved the way for people-powered media
Rozella KennedyRawa Fund is holding donors accountable for cutting funds to the grassroots
Ben WrobelOne by one, cooperatives and crowdfunding projects are taking back control of our energy system.
Anna GormanKaty Love and Diana Samarasan on the launch of a new self-assessment tool
ProximateArianne Shaffer reflects on learnings from the Indigenous Women's Flow Fund
Kevin McClendonForty percent of collaboratives use participatory grantmaking. But are all collaboratives more inclusive?
Ledys Sanjuan MejíaThis summer, sex workers came together to celebrate cinema – and challenge the traditional film festival model
Chloe MarshallAn introduction to the entrepreneur support organizations driving inclusive innovation
Jessica Newfield and Kevin McClendonGrapevine’s founder on how DAOs and giving circles intersect
Emily Rasmussen