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Powering Nonprofit Success Through Participatory Processes:

Did you know that organizations prioritizing participatory processes and deliberately decreasing barriers see a significant increase in program effectiveness? This Fall, I’m excited to delve into how this framework powers real-world success through our three-part webinar series, Insights for Impact!

On September 18th, Dr. Inderjit Vicky Basra, President and CEO of the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center, and Jessica Raymond, former Chief of Staff of the YWCA, joined Sharity Global Expert Anne Miskey to offer real-world examples of ways participatory processes elevated their organizations’ mission and impact. Dr. Basra emphasized the importance of including direct and indirect experts in decision-making conversations. She noted, “…layered communication makes the change.” When those in the community who experience the challenges your organization strives to address work alongside those with academic or professional experience in key areas, your organization can begin to affect systemic change. Jessica added, “When we talk about advocating for people and engaging their voices…here is the mic! You sit at this table, you tell me what you need from us, you make the decision…”

Key takeaways from the conversation included:

  • Write equity into your policies and procedures.
  • Avoid “tokenizing” the community you serve. Ensure that if you ask something of your community members, such as asking them to share their stories, you are developing and strengthening a mutually beneficial relationship with them.
  • Identify ways your organization may connect direct experts, those with lived experience, with donors, elected officials, and other community leaders and influencers.
  • Engaging all voices allows you to review and evaluate the impact of your programming with an open mind and heart.
  • Give credit to all the experts helping you execute your mission. Whenever possible, compensate and recognize direct experts, those with lived experiences, for their work on behalf of your organization, just as you would an indirect expert with academic or professional experience. 

Dr. Basra summed up the importance of engaging all voices when she described the success her organization has had with connecting survivor mentors with the recently rescued. “[Survivor’s] concepts around hope look very different because they’re sitting across from somebody, that at some point, was in the same space that they are in…Their survivor-mentor becomes a beacon of hope!” Anne added, “The little ways you can connect your donors in real ways to people” will bring about transformation.

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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.

"Participatory processes enable all people to play an active and influential part in decisions that affect their lives. Their voices shape outcomes." - Institute of Development Studies

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!