Peery Foundation

35 survey respondents

Location: 2390 El Camino Real, Suite #260, Palo Alto, 94306 CA

EIN: 94-2460894

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97%

3%

What was the overall relationship with the funder?

How many hours did the grant application process take?

5 hours

Median

86%

14%

How would you rate this funder's accessibility?

77%

23%

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

Important Information

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Interests/Priorities

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Financial Summary

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Change in Assets FY :

Amount of Grants to Minnesota Nonprofits:

Sample Grants to Minnesota Nonprofits in

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Top descriptors for this funder

21Positive leader in the field10"Gets" nonprofits and issues10Builds relationships9Gives more than money8Openminded8Responsive8Reasonable reporting terms7Friendly5Likes site visits5Culturally sensitive5Risk taker4Insightful

Advice from a Friend

Peery Foundation

Sep 30, 2020 2

Grant Applicant - applied in 2020

While I have had a tremendously positive experience working with the Peery Foundation to date, I am concerned that they have recently let go all of their staff. It feels especially confusing given the current status of the global pandemic. I have always lauded the PF for being grounded and grantee centric, true partners in the field. This change makes me nervous about what is to come.

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Sep 30, 2020 1

Grant Applicant - applied in 2017

Peery has been a leader in philanthropy for its openness and grantee-centric philosophy, but I'm baffled and worried by what happened in summer 2020, when the entire staff was laid off without warning. I'm worried that the foundation is losing its way and that the field could be losing one of the most collaborative funders out there.

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Sep 17, 2020 1

Reviewer 6330 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2019

What happened? Peery was the model funder and then they quickly unwound, in the process violating every one of their grantee-centric principles?

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Nov 24, 2018

Did not apply

Have a call first then spend time on proposals

Cons

Inadvertently exerts negative influence in the field, Doesn't "get" nonprofits and issues, Difficult to work with, Culturally incompetent

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Response from Peery Foundation

Nov 30, 2018

Dear Reviewer,

Our team at the Peery Foundation actively discusses and reflects on these reviews to learn how to do our work better. Thank you for being so honest in your review and sharing your experience. Critique can often provide the most useful information for us in trying to improve.

I'm sorry that you had a negative experience with the Peery Foundation. We know philanthropy is a deeply flawed practice and, in addition to acknowledging our part in that, step by step we're aiming to address those flaws. Most days we think we are heading in the right direction. Some days we get it wrong. We openly acknowledge that every day we continue to learn from nonprofits, and other peers in the social sector, how to serve nonprofits and community better.

Your review is a great opportunity to do that. I would be grateful to learn what aspects of our process and/or communication caused you to have a negative experience. If you are willing I invite you to contact me directly. You can call our office at 650.644.4660 and leave a message with your phone number or email and I will get to back to you as soon as I can. If not (I completely understand why you might choose to remain anonymous), I don't believe it's possible to edit your existing review so would you submit a new anonymous review sharing more details and suggestions for improvement? If you can provide me with at least the aspects of our approach that didn't work well then I will ensure we fully discuss your feedback, at our next team meeting, and do everything we can to improve.

Again, thank you for your candor,

Jessamyn Shams-Lau
Executive Director, Peery Foundation

Oct 03, 2018

Grant Applicant - applied in 2018

Lead person is smart, engaged, kind and insightful. Generous with her time and ideas.

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Response from Peery Foundation

Mar 08, 2019

Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback! We really appreciate hearing about your experience with us.

Sep 11, 2018 1

Reviewer 2236 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2018

The Peery Foundation team is great to work with and we really value them as partners. They are highly responsive, communicative, and respectful of grantee time. We especially appreciate their thoughtful questions, deep engagement with our work, and willingness to work collaboratively with us on any issues. Peery Foundation sets itself apart by constantly asking for feedback, and reliably acting on any comments received. They follow up when they say they will. We feel that our relationship with Peery is a true partnership that models the best of grantee/grantor relationships.

Pros

Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive

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Response from Peery Foundation

Mar 08, 2019

Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback! We really appreciate hearing about your experience with us.

Sep 06, 2018 1

Reviewer 5736 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2018

We were fortunate to be invited to submit a proposal two years ago. Interactions during the year and renewal process demonstrated genuine respect for our work and our staff. For one, our grant officer came to our office. Because this relationship is based on mutual trust we were able to share our aspirations, goals and concerns candidly. Very refreshing.

Pros

Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Culturally sensitive, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues

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Response from Peery Foundation

Mar 08, 2019

Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback! We really appreciate hearing about your experience with us.

Sep 06, 2018 3

Grant Applicant - applied in 2016

It is good to organize a call before submitting the application to ensure you have a good (and honest) discussion about your needs and the amount you would like to request.

Pros

Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded

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Response from Peery Foundation

Mar 08, 2019

Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback! We really appreciate hearing about your experience with us.

Sep 06, 2018

Reviewer 2533 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2017

Over the years, we've worked with several of the program officers at the Peery Foundation. I've found them all to be open and curious about new ideas, incredibly passionate about work to improve the community, and transparent about funding. They're a great all-around partner!

Pros

Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive

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Response from Peery Foundation

Mar 08, 2019

Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback! We really appreciate hearing about your experience with us.

Sep 05, 2018 1

Reviewer 3564 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2018

Peery are highly professional and as a result demand high standards but this is matched by their donee centred approach

Pros

Positive leader in the field, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive

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Response from Peery Foundation

Mar 08, 2019

Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback! We really appreciate hearing about your experience with us.

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Peery Foundation