Newly Published Journal Article on FFORC's Participatory Grantmaking Process

Our team has published a new paper examining our pilot participatory grantmaking process. The research, now available in the Journal of Community Engagement and Scholarship, offers insights for anyone interested in more equitable approaches to funding community-based work. 

Working with an established network of community garden partners across rural North Carolina, we piloted a specific form of participatory grantmaking called "network voting." We were fortunate to be guided and supported by Noelle Harden of the University of Minnesota, who has developed and facilitated several participatory grantmaking schemes in the context of SNAP-Ed programming.  

We identified important lessons about designing participatory processes that truly center community voice. Each approach requires deliberate, thoughtful planning to prioritize the expertise and perspectives of potential grantees. The paper details both our successes and areas for improvement as we continue refining our approach for future funding rounds. 

This research contributes to broader conversations about how academic institutions and funders can authentically cede decision-making power and financial authority to communities most impacted by the issues they seek to address. As interest grows in trust-based philanthropy and community-led approaches, we hope our experiences—including our challenges—can inform others designing similar initiatives. 

Read the full paper: https://jces.ua.edu/articles/10.54656/jces.v18i1.651  

Citation: Statia, G., Sheppard, B., Brown, G., & De Marco, M. (2025). Growing Community through Participatory Grantmaking: Perspectives on Piloting an Equity-Driven Granting Scheme with Community Gardens in Rural North Carolina. Journal of Community Engagement and Scholarship, 18(1). doi: 10.54656/jces.v18i1.651 

Community garden partners and FFORC team members celebrate and share their experiences and community impacts at the End-of-Year Celebration for the PGM process at the Coharie Tribal Center (October 2024).