Tools

Included below are tools that are derived from the experience of Grassroots Grantmakers member organizations, the peer learning activities that we have hosted, and research that we have sponsored.

Tools for More Effective Grassroots Grantmaking
A Getting Ready Roadmap for Grassroots Grantmaking

Grassroots grantmaking programs are most effective when they are strategically designed with careful  more ...


What Do We Mean by Grassroots Groups?

Central to Grassroots Grantmakers’ theory of change is an assumption about the essential role  more ...


The Strategy of Grassroots Grantmaking

Think Layers, Not LaddersGrassroots grantmaking programs are built on the community-level engagement  more ...


Guiding Principles for Effective Capacity Building Help

Excerpts from Helping Neighborhood Groups and Leaders Grow Stronger by David M.  more ...


How to Staff: Pros & Cons of Four Common Models

There are several commonly-utilized models to staff grassroots grantmaking programs - all with their  more ...


Technical Assistance Models

Technical assistance - help in all forms for grassroots groups - is an essential component of  more ...


Do's and Don'ts for Technical Assistance

Here are some points for funders to keep in mind when designing a program of technical assistance  more ...


Who Decides? Options for Grant Review & Selection

Grassroots grantmaking practitioners utilize several different models for managing grant review and  more ...


Ten Principles for Appropriate Evaluation

Excerpts from A Guide to Evaluating Asset-Based Community Development:  Lessons, Challenges and  more ...


Five Factors that Contribute to a Viable Grassroots Grantmaking Program

Excerpts from A Legacy of Leadership and Support for Grassroots Grantmaking.1.  The Goals are  more ...


What Do Resident-Led Groups Need to Grow Stronger?

A Planning Framework for Grassroots GrantmakingA Supportive ClimateConnectionsShort-Term Problem  more ...


Fundamental Shifts for Effective Grassroots Grantmaking

Grassroots grantmaking often requires funders to shift how think about and approach work with  more ...


Peer Coaching for New Grassroots Grantmakers

Introducing a Peer Coaching Program for New or Renewing Grassroots GrantmakersAre you looking to map  more ...


Sharing the Learning: The Living Room Meeting

The Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation's First Step for Community Engagement A Special  more ...


High Quality Engagement: What to Do/What to Avoid

From the National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation's Public Engagement Principles  more ...