Outgrowing the Flowerpot - How might we create space for grassroots,

To navigate past the previously noted feedback loop and depending on the legitimacy of the grassroots groups, many groups need help to qualify for the funding that may be advantageous to the group to build capacity (Bettencourt, What are the Advantages n.d.). [...] Outgrowing the Flowerpot 9 However, this is not the case for a grassroots group forward approach, which centers the individual from the community (not a “client”) as the focus of care and the seat of power. [...] This recognition was encapsulated in the granting the nature of serving the community and the required buy- structures of large funding bodies such as the United Way in from the community for the grassroots group to thrive of Calgary, the Calgary Foundation and the City of Calgary and survive. [...] Based on a scan of funding agencies sphere of influence from the community comes from not supporting the broader system of care, Calgary Foundation only the community members but also the volunteers that is the only funder that explicitly funds grassroots groups in assist in the operations of the grassroots group. [...] Our mental models around the legitimacy of grassroots groups and the idea of a professionalized society—or the push for groups to claim jurisdiction over the knowledge and space in an area or field (Abbott, 1988, as cited in DeOrnellas, 2018)—impacts funding opportunities for grassroots groups and the ability for grassroots groups to grow.