By Dr. Charles Odame-Ankrah
The concept of disruption has transformed many industries—most famously through companies like Uber and Airbnb, which upended traditional transportation and hospitality models. But disruption isn’t just confined to the world of business. It begs the question: Is it time for disruptive philanthropy to take center stage in funding grassroots organizations?
For years, grassroots organizations—especially those serving marginalized communities—have been sidelined by the rigid traditional funding models. These smaller, community-driven initiatives often lack the access to large-scale grants or institutional funding. *Yet they are the heartbeat of social change*, working directly with vulnerable populations, addressing the daily challenges that larger institutions may overlook.
Unfortunately, the philanthropic landscape remains highly centralized. Major foundations and government bodies typically dictate where funds go, who gets access, and which projects are deemed “worthy” of support. This model leaves many grassroots organizations, particularly those within the African and immigrant communities, struggling to survive.
We need to look to disruptive philanthropy as the solution to this extreme marginalization. Just as Uber and Airbnb empowered individuals to reshape the industries of transportation and hospitality, disruptive philanthropy can democratize access to funding. Crowdfunding platforms, decentralized giving initiatives, and social media campaigns have shown that individual contributions can have a profound collective impact. What if we used these tools to directly support the work of grassroots organizations?
Imagine the power of a GoFundMe campaign or a community-backed grant system to support African youth mentorship programs, mental health initiatives, or cultural wellness activities. These direct and immediate methods bypass bureaucratic gatekeepers, allowing local organizations to receive the funding they need without delay, inefficiency, or red tape. With this type of giving, everyone has a stake in the outcome, and more importantly, the power to drive meaningful change at the local level.
This is a call to action. Governments, large foundations, and corporate endowments must recognize the opportunity presented by disruptive philanthropy and its potential to level the playing field for grassroots organizations. The extreme marginalization of these local groups must end, and it’s time we disrupt the traditional philanthropic model to ensure that community-driven work gets the support it desperately needs.
The future of social change belongs to those who are closest to the issues—our local grassroots leaders. Let’s give them the tools and funding to lead the way.
Dr. Charles Odame-Ankrah is the Director of Systems Change of the Calgary African Community Collective.
