Sharing Power?: The Landscape of Participatory Practices & Grantmaking Among Large U.S. Foundations

Abstract

Philanthropic foundations in the United States hold significant power in both defining societal challenges and the manner in which those challenges are addressed. There have been increasing calls for foundations to shift their power to affected communities and to democratize decision-making through greater participation. Whether and how large foundations engage stakeholders in their governance and grantmaking, however, remains an open question. This report explores the landscape of participatory practices and grantmaking among the largest foundations in the United States (by total assets), guided by four key research questions.