From Traditional Philanthropy to Participatory Practices: A Transformative Journey with the Start Well Program

February 25, 2025

For decades, philanthropy has largely been a top-down endeavor, where funders determine priorities, design programs, and allocate resources based on their perceptions of need. But what if the very people impacted by these decisions had real power to shape funding priorities and drive change?

At Snow-Redfern Foundation, we are actively reshaping our approach to philanthropy, moving away from traditional practices and toward participatory grantmaking (PGM)—a model that centers community wisdom, lived experience, and power-sharing.

A significant milestone in this journey was the participation of our Executive Director, Sara Wilcox, in the Start Well Program, a six-month international learning experience facilitated by the PGM Community of Practice. Alongside 17 other participants from around the world, Sara engaged in deep learning workshops, peer exchanges, and personalized coaching to strengthen my understanding of participatory practices.

Key Learnings & Takeaways

One of the most profound themes throughout the program was the necessity of genuine power-sharing in philanthropy. Many funders invite community participation, but true participatory grantmaking goes beyond consultation—it shifts decision-making power to the very people impacted by funding decisions.

Here are some of the key insights Sara gained:

🔹 Shifting Mindsets: Philanthropy must center trust, lived experience, and community leadership rather than relying solely on traditional expertise.
🔹 Redefining the Role of Funders: Instead of gatekeepers, funders should serve as facilitators of change, removing barriers rather than imposing rigid structures.
🔹 Navigating Institutional Resistance: Implementing PGM requires internal advocacy to make the case for shifting power and adopting community-led evaluation methods.
🔹 Building Long-Term Partnerships: True impact comes from relationships built on reciprocity and mutual respect, not just transactional grantmaking.

What This Means for Snow-Redfern Foundation

As we continue this transformation, we are committed to:

✅ Expanding Youth Voice, ensuring young people have meaningful governance roles in our organization.
✅ Developing youth-led grantmaking models that give young leaders the power to make funding decisions.
✅ Embedding participatory principles into our internal operations and funding strategies, ensuring community members and young people have a voice at every level.

The Path Forward

The Start Well Program reinforced what we already knew: philanthropy must evolve beyond performative inclusion and commit to authentic power-sharing. As the program continues to grow, it will expand the network of funders and advocates dedicated to this work, helping to create a more just and equitable philanthropic landscape.

At Snow-Redfern Foundation, we are ready to lead this charge. Will you join us?