A Planning Framework for Grassroots Grantmaking
| A Supportive Climate | Connections | Short-Term Problem Solving Help | Longer-Term Capacity Building Help | Patient Money |
| Specifically, groups need: | ||||
| Validation | Connections to other groups like them | Specific how-to help | Help identifying long-term goals | A grant program with a visible on-ramp |
| Recognition | Connections to more experienced groups | On-demand help | Help assessing strengths & growth areas | Grant funds that are predictably available |
| A main-stream, door-opening champion | Connections to policy makers | Help from peers | Help charting a path from here to there | Grants that are offered in a spirit open doors, not trap doors |
| Connections to resource providers | Help from “experts” | Encouragement to keep going | Grants opportunities that are suitable for beginners, but also are linked to the next step | |
How does this work?
Here’s a sample showing how a funder is planning to address the needs in each category:
| A Supportive Climate | Connections | Short-Term Problem Solving Help | Longer-Term Capacity Building Help | Patient Money that |
| To create this, we will do directly or support: | To create this, we will do directly or support: | To create this, we will do directly or support: | To create this, we will do directly or support: | To create this, we will do directly or support: |
| Work with media to ensure that success stories are regularly shared with the general public. | A directory of neighborhood groups | A directory of neighborhood groups | Leadership training | An on-going small grants program with an open door for start-ups |
| An award or recognition program for outstanding achievement | A cross-neighborhood council | Email lists | Appropriate assessment tools and processes | Tiered support for groups that are maturing |
| A celebration event for resident-led groups | Peer to peer sharing opportunities | Accessible 1-on-1 assistance | Appropriate planning tools and processes | Project support |
| Sharing success stories and the importance of civic engagement with other main-stream institutions and leaders | Email lists | “How to” sessions for new groups and leaders | A local neighborhood conference | A flexible technical assistance fund |
| Representatives from funding organization attends neighborhood events when invited | “Who to call” guides | Opportunities to learn from local experts | Opportunity for local leaders to attend regional or national trainings or conferences | |
| Prompt response to calls from resident leaders | A local neighborhood conference | A local neighborhood conference | ||
| Opportunity for local leaders to attend regional or national trainings or conferences | Opportunity for local leaders to attend regional or national trainings or conferences |
