Launching Participatory and Liberatory Grant-Making Practices at a Funder’s Collaborative

Youth and Families Forward, New York City

2022-Present

New Tomorrow led the strategic shift of the Foster Care Excellence Fund to Youth and Families Forward (YFF) making it the only NYC-based funder’s collaborative singularly focused on addressing the harms of the child welfare/family regulation system through participatory grant-making. Their new priorities and practices take a more responsive, liberatory approach. And, one where power and decision-making for how resources are distributed are not just held by foundations, but by those directly impacted by the issue.

We took a multi-pronged approach to support the evolution of this seven-member collaborative. This included working with each foundation member, developing a governance structure, engaging in a re-brand, launching a new website, recruiting new members, developing a budget and securing contributions for the new participatory grant-making fund, developing a participatory structure, facilitating the participatory process and administering the grants.

New Tomorrow continues to serve as a philanthropic advisor and technical assistance provider to support the implementation and grants-administration of YFF’s new strategy, while continuing to facilitate its growth and impact.