For the fourth year in a row, we are proud to have our friends at Social Justice Partners Los Angeles (SJPLA) facilitate the evaluation process for the LA2050 Grants Challenge.

Under the guidance of SJPLA, teams of social impact leaders review and score Grants Challenge applications. Each application is read by at least two reviewers, who give it a numeric score using our official scorecard and provide detailed comments. Then, the evaluation teams come together to discuss the applications, reflect on the experience, and make final grant recommendations. In doing so, they consider a range of factors, including the strength of the organization’s understanding of the issue area, the quality of the proposed program, project, or initiative, and the leadership’s lived and learned expertise.

SJPLA's partnership in the LA2050 Grants Challenge is one example of the organization's broader work to advance participatory grantmaking. In a recent article, SJPLA defined participatory grantmaking as "a shift in power dynamics... [engaging] those who are directly affected by the issues at hand in the decision-making process." We are so grateful to collaborate with an organization that shares our same commitment to centering community voices.

A huge thank you to SJPLA – especially Executive Director Christine Margiotta, Partnerships Manager Sharon Stratton, and Program Manager Michelle Dominguez – and all of the evaluators for their contributions to the Grants Challenge. We absolutely could not do this without you!

If you are interested in getting more involved with SJPLA, you can learn more here.