grant-making
UK[ˈɡrɑːntˌmeɪkɪŋ]US[ˈɡræntˌmeɪkɪŋ]
adj
Relating to or involved in the process of awarding grants, especially of money.
n
The activity or business of awarding grants.
Morpheme Breakdown
grant
making
grant
to bestow
making
the act of creating
Etymology
The term 'grant-making' is a modern English compound, a transparent fusion of two established words to describe a specific institutional activity. 'Grant' entered English via Anglo-French legal and administrative language, carrying the sense of a formal bestowal of a right or property. 'Making' is a foundational Germanic verb, here nominalized to denote the process or act. The compound's logic is direct: it literally means "the making (or awarding) of grants." It emerged in the 20th century, primarily within the context of philanthropic foundations and charitable trusts, to formally designate their core operational function of disbursing funds, thus lexicalizing a key concept in the non-profit sector.
Analysis
Structure: grant (to bestow) + making (the act of creating)
- grant: From Old French granter (to agree, consent, promise), of Germanic origin; related to Old Norse greiða (to prepare). In this compound, it functions as the object/recipient of the action.
- making: From Old English macian (to make, form, construct). In this compound, it functions as the nominalized action or process.
Examples
She works in the grant-making department of a large charitable foundation.
The organization's grant-making priorities focus on educational initiatives.
Effective grant-making requires thorough due diligence on potential recipients.