A Game-Changer for Nonprofits
As Founder and President of Sharity Global, I take pride in our commitment to participatory processes. We are dedicated to involving as many supporters and stakeholders as possible in sustainable fundraising, business planning, public policy advocacy, and—most critically—leadership.
Recently, a friend and member of White Dudes for Harris shared a thank-you email from the Harris 2024 campaign. Referencing actor Mark Hamill’s cameo at a recent online rally, it highlighted that “[White Dudes for Harris] are a force.” The group felt heard and energized. They were confident their voices were shaping the campaign’s outcomes. I was delighted to see the campaign adopt participatory process principles. One of Sharity’s core pillars was shining brightly in a presidential election!
Why Participatory Processes Matter
Traditional nonprofit models often rely on top-down approaches where decisions are made by a select few, with supporters playing a passive role. While major investors might influence decisions through board service or gift designations, a small group of executives typically shapes the organization’s impact on the community. Other stakeholders’ input is not solicited. This can limit an organization’s potential for change.
By contrast, a nonprofit that fosters a participatory environment ensures all of a community’s expertise and insights contribute to solution development. Everyone is invited to participate in the planning process, has a role in decision-making, and feels inspired to invest resources, time, expertise, and ideas. Participatory processes recognize and acknowledge that engaging all community members positions a group to achieve extraordinary impact.
The Harris 2024 Campaign: A Case Study in Participation
The Harris 2024 campaign exemplifies the participatory approach. By empowering supporters to shape its direction, the campaign fosters a sense of ownership and investment. They embrace identity-based initiatives, like grassroots civic engagement rallies that engage Black voters or spotlighting essential contributions from the Asian American community, celebrating shared experiences and identities.
At the same time, the Harris 2024 campaign embraces supporter groups and initiatives that acknowledge privilege rather than sidestepping it. White Dudes for Harris, for instance, encourages members to reflect on their positions within society and leverage them to support equitable policies and practices. The call to action in my friend’s thank you note reminded everyone, “… let’s change some other white dudes’ minds, and let’s do our part to help Kamala Harris make history.” This no-holds-barred approach to participation builds bridges across diverse groups, uniting supporters around common goals.
The fundraising results speak volumes. The Harris 2024 campaign noted that they raised $204M in July, reportedly four times the dollars raised by the Trump campaign. The impact is transformative when an organization listens to and engages with as many stakeholders as possible.
A Sharity Success Story: Guardian Care
Our work with Guardian Care is a testament to the power of participatory processes.
Contact us today to learn more about incorporating participatory processes into your organization. We look forward to working with you!
