How does a northern-based grantmaker reach small grassroots organizations in the South – what Rien van Gendt refers to as ‘the "darlings" of the international development community’? This issue of Alliance looks at some of the options. One approach increasingly being explored by donors of all types is the use of intermediary grantmakers. Another approach, exemplified by the Global Fund for Women and the Global Greengrants Fund, is the use of formal and informal networks of regional and country advisers to help identify local organizations to support.