COMMUNITY GUIDES the GRANT-MAKING

Peer Panel Process

The Grant Review Panel has defined PCF’s grantmaking process since its inception in 1991.  This participatory practice shifts the power dynamics of traditional grantmaking to center:

the knowledge and needs of applicants over the knowledge and needs of funders.
the perspectives and experiences of panelists who share common or overlapping community, lived experience, and engagement around art and culture with applicants.

Panelists are paid, receive training and facilitation support, and work independently and in teams throughout the process to complete their application review. At the end of the process, Panelists come together in a series of meetings to deliberate and make final funding recommendations to PCF.

For the 2026 and 2027-2029 Grant Cycles, the Panel will exclusively review applications for the Community Impact Grant.