Arcus Foundation

Which state are you working in?

Array

What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?

Current or former grantee

If you were funded, tell us the outcome

Funded for amount requested

What year was this experience?

2015

How would you rate this funder's accessibility?

Good

Staff members are generally happy to talk about the foundation and its goals. They have moved to an open call system this year, rather than the previous 'don't call us, we call you' policy.

How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its current philanthropic goals?

Good

They are very strategic in their Grantmaking and their specific focus on LGBTI rights and Great Apes really makes a difference in those two generally greatly underfunded subject areas.

If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?

Assume that grantees are not telling you everything they dislike about your grantmaking or their relationship with their program officer. Find ways to receive critical feedback anyway. Employ trans and intersex people, especially for positions that make decisions about funding those communities. It doesn't look very good when one of the biggest grant makers in the field does not have several trans or intersex people in decision-making staff positions.

Tell us one thing that this funder does really well

Good relationship with existing grantees.

How many hours did the grant application process take?

8