💬 What Is Participatory Grant-Making? (and Why It Matters to Kingston Giving)

At Kingston Giving, we believe the people who live and work in our borough understand its needs best. That’s why we’re proud to use a model called Participatory Grant-Making (PGM) - an approach that puts decision-making power directly into the hands of local people.

What is Participatory Grant-Making?

Participatory Grant-Making means funding decisions are made with, not just for, the community.

Instead of a small group deciding which local projects receive grants, we bring together residents, community representatives, and people with lived experience to review applications, discuss priorities, and help decide where the money should go.

These are real people from Kingston - not staff or trustees - coming together to share insights, debate ideas, and make informed decisions that truly reflect the borough’s needs.

Why does it matter?

Because community voices should shape community change.

When people are directly involved in deciding how funds are distributed, the process becomes:
✅ More transparent – everyone can see how and why decisions are made.
✅ More relevant – funding goes to projects that genuinely reflect local needs.
✅ More empowering – it builds confidence, connection, and shared purpose among participants.

At Kingston Giving, we’ve seen first-hand how PGM strengthens trust across our community - between funders, charities, and residents. It creates a sense of shared ownership and ensures every pound granted is guided by lived experience, not assumptions.

How we’re doing it in Kingston

Our Grant-Making Decision Makers include people from all walks of life. Together, they review every grant application with care and compassion.

This means that when Kingston Giving awards a grant, it’s not just a donation - it’s a collective decision made by and for the people of Kingston.

Looking ahead

Participatory Grant-Making is at the heart of Kingston Giving’s mission to build a stronger, more connected borough.

As we grow this approach, we’ll continue to invite more local voices to join our decision-making panels - ensuring Kingston’s funding reflects Kingston’s people.

If you’d like to get involved in future PGM groups or learn more about how you can help shape local funding decisions, we’d love to hear from you.

👉 Get in touch at justine@kingstongiving.org.uk

Together, we can make sure every grant reflects the real heart of Kingston - its people.