Be The Earth Joins the Participatory Grantmaking Community
- mia8893
- Sep 22, 2025
- 3 min read
We are delighted to share that Be The Earth recently became a member and supporter of the Participatory Grantmaking Community (PGM) — a global, practitioner-led network committed to shifting (not just sharing) power in philanthropy.
For us, it feels like stepping into a circle of kinship: peers who are asking the same questions we hold dear. How do we share power with care? How do we nurture accountability? How do we stand with one another — funders, activists, communities — to stay connected, courageous, and cared for, even when spaces for organising and speaking out are under threat?
PGM was born out of a simple truth: those most affected by injustice are too often excluded from shaping the solutions. It exists as a living response — a space where communities design and own the grantmaking processes that impact their lives. The vision is bold and urgent: philanthropy that is more democratic, more effective, and more just.
Holding Spaces for Learning and Reflection
One of the things we love about PGM is the way it holds space for practitioners at every stage of the journey. In 2024, they launched Start Well, a peer-learning programme for those just beginning. Nearly 100 people applied, and 18 were welcomed into a community where they could ask questions, learn from experienced faculty, and build confidence in their practice. For many, the greatest gift was simply belonging:
“The exposure and connection to the essence of PGM coming from varying perspectives creates space for new PGM practitioners to learn in a safe place, spark ideas, and connect with others.” – Start Well participant
For those who have been walking this path longer, PGM created Deepening Practice — a space for reflection and recommitment. In early 2025, twelve experienced practitioners gathered to explore difficult questions: How do we sustain this work without burning out? What does accountability look like in practice? How do we resist tokenism and “PGM-washing”? With care and courage, they are building collective strength for the long road ahead.
“Having time to deep dive in confidential ways with super skilled PGM people felt like it helped my morale and think about things in new ways." - Deepening Practice Participant
Lessons From 2024
Looking back, 2024 was a year of deep learning for PGM. The community discovered just how much demand there is for supportive spaces — especially for newcomers and community-led funds who rarely have access to capacity building. They also heard from members in Gaza, Georgia, and beyond about adapting participatory practices in contexts of violence, surveillance, displacement, and repression.
As one member, Coco Jervis, put it:
“What we are doing here, in its essence, is a tool that helps us keep open some of the civil society spaces that are closing. Participatory grantmaking helps build resilience and solidarity between grantees and funders, and that is critical when civil society spaces are being threatened.”
The message was clear: PGM isn’t a toolkit, it’s a practice. And like any practice, it requires ongoing reflection, adaptability, and commitment.
Looking Ahead
PGM is not just growing a community — it’s nurturing a movement. In 2025, the network is:
Sharing lessons from Deepening Practice to strengthen and sustain the field.
Launching a second Start Well cohort to meet the overwhelming demand for entry-level support.
Elevating the leadership of global south and community-led funds, ensuring those most affected by systemic injustice remain at the centre.
Creating new ways for a community of 1,500+ people to connect meaningfully without losing intimacy and trust.
Continuing to explore accountability through its Accountability Circle, ensuring the network stays true to its values.
For Be The Earth, joining this community is both grounding and inspiring. It reminds us that philanthropy can be more than a transaction — it can be a practice of solidarity, resilience, and joy. We are excited to walk this journey with PGM, learning and unlearning together, as we imagine a more just and participatory future.
