Introduction

The Funding Movements POD is focused on developing strategies to better understand and support grassroots movements. We aim to focus on several key priorities:

Addressing funding constraints and identifying ways to overcome them,
Advancing narrative change to shift donor perceptions of movements beyond traditional frameworks,
Dismantling decision-making power structures, and
Tackling bureaucratic violence, such as overly competitive and burdensome processes that hinder movement building.

Central to this work is the recognition that movements don’t spontaneously emerge in funder-dominated decision-making spaces. They organize, strategize, and require financial support to mobilize key actors, convene assemblies, develop agendas, and sustain political education over time. Funders often overlook these needs, but as a POD, we aim to shift this narrative by helping funders better understand and respond to these realities.

We propose anchoring our efforts around major movement gatherings over the next 18 months, such as the Global Néléni Forum on Food Sovereignty, COP 30 in Belém, and – if possible, convening those at the upcoming AWID Forum. This would involve a three-phase approach:

Pre-event mapping and fundraising to ensure movements can sustain and strengthen their everyday process to participate meaningfully,
Organizing learning delegations for funders to engage directly during the events, and
Post-event follow-up to deepen support and draw lessons.

The POD would help ensure that funding flows in ways that genuinely strengthen movements, not just large NGOs, and reduce tensions within the ecosystem.

Our upcoming meeting on November 19th at 8:00 PST / 12:00 EST / 17:00 CET will bring together funders of different types and sizes to map out next steps. We aim to explore how diverse funders can engage with movements and ensure their contributions are effective. We’ll also begin mapping key funders to invite into these conversations, with an eye toward strengthening our relationships, building trust, and moving this agenda forward.

We’re excited to move forward and invite your insights as we continue this work!

Co-Organizers

Amazon Watch//Grassroots International//ThousandCurrents//USA Aid for Africa

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Meetings Minutes and Key decisions

Discovery Meeting - June 6th

Focus of the meeting
During this first “Discovery meeting”, the group focused on understanding how philanthropy can truly be in service of grassroots movements, stressing the urgency of dismantling bureaucratic barriers and aligning donor strategies with the radical, transformative goals of these movements. In the Breakout conversations, participants reflected on what the aspects they wish to focus on in the continuation of the work and how we can leverage the knowledge of this group.

It was underscored the need for “alchemy”—translating the deep, systemic aspirations of grassroots organizers into actionable terms for funders—while fostering authentic collaboration and solidarity to ensure impactful, justice-oriented funding.

Together with the organizers we will give an overview of the history behind this organizing space as well as provide space for the participants to understand together the focus of this POD moving forward.

NB: This is a members – only space. If you’d like to join the network, reach out to Martina at martina@edgefunders.org

Video Recording

Update Meeting - November 19th

During the meeting, participants reflected on their understanding of movements, emphasizing the concept of movements as dynamic processes aimed at fostering spaces for collective power-building, generating new knowledge, and crafting innovative narratives through creative language. The discussion also highlighted a recurring challenge: many funders struggle to fully grasp the complexities of movements, often expecting an oversimplified narrative of social change without acknowledging the constraints movements face due to limited and restricted funding.

The conversation then shifted to refining the direction and purpose of the POD. It was concluded that the POD should be action-oriented, focusing not only on organizing around singular events but also on creating sustained support for movements throughout their journey. This includes offering accompaniment and preparation before, during, and after major advocacy opportunities. Such readiness is essential for movements to effectively engage with institutional and international platforms and advocate for their needs. Additionally, the idea of organizing movement-centered events was proposed to further this goal.

Looking ahead, the POD will convene again in January to continue advancing its work and to strengthen collective efforts in support of movements.