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Our approach to grantmaking

PAX sapiens wants to work with funding recipients as partners. We intend to establish a collaborative structure that allows us to jointly develop and execute positive, flexible partnerships with the ability to grow over time. To support that, we provide an introduction to our approach in grantmaking so that we are clear about how we operate and so that partners can join us fully informed about our approach.

Grantmaking

Multi-stage Process 

After developing consensus about the issue scope and intended outcomes of a project, we work with partners on a multi-stage development process moving to in-principle activities that might deliver these outcomes. Together we finally develop a full project plan.

Hands-on Involvement 

As a part of this process, we expect to be involved in meaningful collaboration about the methods and design of the project. Where our existing expertise does not allow us to contribute, we may suggest bringing in additional partners with more discrete and specific expertise.

Creative Ideas 

The final project plan will be jointly developed based on a principle of mutual respect and understanding. This approach allows PAX to dedicate funding for new ideas or new projects rather than fully-developed project ideas or continuing operations.

Sustainability via Co-investing 

In order to reduce dependencies on sole source of funding and encourage projects to be sustainable, we require a structure of co-investment, whether from other funders or from the core funding at our partners.

 

Partnerships

Long-term and sustainable partnerships 

The problems that we seek to solve require dedicated long-term effort. Accordingly, we do not fund projects intending to be one-off activities or to be strictly time-limited.

We form partnerships with expectations that over time, projects will grow into longer term efforts and form larger networks. We acknowledge that for our partners to be interested in this kind of growth, multidimensional alignments are crucial. While many projects may be unable to achieve this scope, we evaluate each partnership in order to develop opportunities for meaningful growth.

Laptop, digital marketing and team in a meeting planning seo, advertising and innovation strategy as a group. Creative, diversity and young people working on branding ideas for a startup project

How Do We Work with Our Partners?

We prefer a detailed timeline of expected activities and request quarterly meetings with project leads. The meeting is meant to discuss adjustments in order to adapt to changes in external conditions, to adapt better approaches, and to understand developing processes.

We also meet annually to review the project, identify potential changes, and set clear goals and strategies for next steps.

For Grant Seekers

PAX sapiens does not accept unsolicited proposals. We identify projects through direct outreach to organizations already doing work on issues or topics identified as a strategic focus.