How do we shift power?

4 min read · July 7, 2023
New Power Labs

Tl;dr — Participatory models can shift power in grantmaking and investing. World Education Services (WES) Mariam Assefa Fund’s participatory funding pilot brings insights relevant to all capital deployers. 

The process

Through an open application call, WES Mariam Assefa Fund and Tamarack Institute launched a pilot to shift decision-making power to community members. They built a People’s Panel of 12 leaders with lived experience from immigrant and refugee communities in Peel Region and then stepped back to observe and facilitate. The People’s Panel discussed community needs, agreed on funding priorities and approaches, and developed application guidelines before awarding six grants.

The impact. The evaluation process found that: 

1. The grantees aligned with WES Mariam Assefa Fund’s values and goals. Most were Black-, Indigenous- or people of colour-led and served the most underfunded groups in the region.

2. Some projects might not have seemed innovative enough on paper, but in reality, were delivering core impact in their communities. 

3. Members of the People’s Panel said they felt empowered, having full decision-making power over the grantmaking process. 

The take-aways. 

1. Participatory finance models exist on a spectrum. Your board might be more supportive if you pre-approve a small fund to start or experiment with speed or reduced risk.

2. Working in a region with clear funding needs, experience in impact work, or established community groups can help convene leaders, engage the community, and build momentum. 

3. Get clear on roles. Ensure transparency and consistency of the funder’s engagement in the decision-making process. Partner with an intermediary organization to relieve internal capacity, balance power dynamics, and allow an intentional learning process. 

4. Keep an open mind. Acknowledge that funders might feel discomfort with decisions made by community members, but need to let go of the desire to control the outcome. The community knows its needs best, and the funder’s role is to serve.

As noted in the summary: although funders might hold a helicopter view of the field and wide exposure to multiple communities and grantees, recognize that this is based on the privileged position they were placed in as funders. This power imbalance is what participatory grantmaking addresses, so uncomfortable feelings should be embraced as a learning opportunity.

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