Grassroots Giving

Grassroots Grantmaking

Field Note: Time for "empowerment philanthropy"?

March 2025

|

Proximate

October 2024

March 2025

|

Proximate

Supported By :

In Partnership With:

This summer's SSIR cover story, Where Strategic Philanthropy Went Wrong, has caused quite a stir. Written by Mark Kramer and Steve Phillips, it claims to offer a new approach for more equitable philanthropy. For many people, it felt like more of the same.
CEP’s Phil Buchanan pointed out that this is the fourth such “new vision” for philanthropy put out by Kramer alone over the years – three of them published in SSIR. Others, like Ruth Levine, called out the “strawman” in the story’s argument.
Our own Isabelle Clérié weighed in with her column, Want Effective Philanthropy? Look to the Global South. She wrote that the story “minimizes participatory, asset-based, community-led, and trust-based models that have been around for a long time” and highlights the wonderful Movement for Community-Led Development.
While I’m sympathetic to the innate desire to write long manifestos about philanthropy, I do wonder if this valuable real estate in SSIR could have been better utilized.

- BW

No items found.

Related reads

No items found.

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

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

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

Report Roundup: Proximate Brasil

Report Roundup: Proximate Brasil

Report Roundup: Proximate Brasil

We read several recent reports on shifting power in philanthropy – and pulled out the highlights

Filantropia na blockchain

Filantropia na blockchain

Filantropia na blockchain

A fundadora da Grapevine fala sobre como os DAOs e os círculos de doação se cruzam cada vez mais

Imperial Valley’s New Endowment – and What It Represents

Imperial Valley’s New Endowment – and What It Represents

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

A New Book Shares Evidence on Participatory Grantmaking

A New Book Shares Evidence on Participatory Grantmaking

A New Book Shares Evidence on Participatory Grantmaking

Twelve research papers shine a light on participatory models and approaches

Five Questions for John Hecklinger

Five Questions for John Hecklinger

Five Questions for John Hecklinger

We spoke with the Global Fund for Children’s co-CEO about participatory grantmaking and more

Report Roundup: Proximate Brasil

Report Roundup: Proximate Brasil

Report Roundup: Proximate Brasil

We read several recent reports on shifting power in philanthropy – and pulled out the highlights

A New Book Shares Evidence on Participatory Grantmaking

A New Book Shares Evidence on Participatory Grantmaking

A New Book Shares Evidence on Participatory Grantmaking

Twelve research papers shine a light on participatory models and approaches

Field Note: Participatory democracy isn’t just for governments

Participatory democracy isn’t just for governments

NGO People Powered demonstrates how member-based organizations can use participatory democracy to determine how to allocate its budget.

No items found.

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.

Get Our Monthly Issues

Proximate

© 2025 PROXIMATE ® ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.