Building Local Alignment

About the Initiative

In an effort to take bold leaps forward in transforming health for everyone, RWJF is exploring ways to cede some grantmaking power to those most affected by racism and health inequities. This includes the recent launch of a full “participatory grantmaking” initiative entitled Building Local Alignment, which aims to advance racial and health equity by centering community members as equal partners in local multisector collaboratives. This participatory grantmaking approach is one way to “walk the walk” in establishing those most affected by racism as decision-making equals through the entire grantmaking process.

The Story of the Building Local Alignment Initiative.... so far

Participatory Grantmaking in Practice is a case study that offers an up-front look at RWJF’s processes in initiating this approach to grantmaking—which was led by an advisory committee of nine community stakeholders and one RWJF staff member. The insights will guide the project and inform future efforts.

Moving Forward

Three intermediary organizations were selected to lead an inclusive grantmaking process:

• Brooklyn Communities Collaborative in Brooklyn, New York
• I Be Black Girl in Omaha, Nebraska
• Movement Strategy Center in Oakland, California

The intermediaries will identify and fund 20 grantees across the United States who will design their own participatory grantmaking process to meet their specific community’s needs and priorities.