3 survey respondents
Location: 8180 Mccormick Blvd, Skokie, 60076 IL
EIN: 46-4092041
0%
100%
20 hours
Median
0%
100%
17%
83%
2017 Deadlines:
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Grant Applicant - applied in 2025
In performing arts, grantee cohorts and hangouts are expected. Even with all this gathering and "listening," funding priorities are vague, constantly changing, and not well suited to the problems facing the field. Expects a new or innovative project to be pitched for each RFP. No consistent call for proposals means you might get a huge two-year grant, wait a year for the new RFP, then hear the outcome a year after that. Invite only, with new invitations very rarely made. Not my direct experience, but have heard tell that this funder is spooked by pro-Palestine and anti-war positions in grantees' programs.
Inadvertently exerts negative influence in the field, Doesn't "get" nonprofits and issues, Culturally incompetent
Illinois
Applied and not funded
2025
Bad
Bad
Wants to support innovation, but also wants to exert soft control on the program.
Gives larger and multi-year grants. Staff are really kind.
16
Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
I met the founder of the Foundation in 2020 at a conference. I am a researcher and I was invited to apply for funding through their scientific innovation program. Initially, the conversations were encouraging. But there were months of back and forth with the founder where I was made to feel that I was pestering her. I was invited to submit a proposal, but her questions indicated she really didn't know about my area of research. I've faced this situation before but I was never asked to consider a donation match for a research project! I ended up getting partial funding for my request, and I am grateful. But this organization doesn't seem to know what they want to focus on or where they want to work. I was seeking renewal funding in 2022 and received rather abrupt messages from a grants manager but was never able to reach the funder directly again.
Doesn't "get" nonprofits and issues, Culturally incompetent, Bureaucratic
New York
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2020
Bad
Really hard to reach after I was encouraged to present about my work.
Average
It's hard to believe they have gained further clarity on their interests. I can't reach anyone related to their work in science.
Hire experts in the areas you want to fund. Don't waste our time with tedious processes. And answer the phone.
Try to find a contact other than the founder to get access to funds.
It looks like they are giving out generous grants in their other interest areas.
200
Grant Applicant - applied in 2023
Walder is invitation only. First, I was invited to apply for a grant in performing arts. I waited weeks for a response to an LOI. Then I advanced to the proposal stage. Weeks and then months passed without word. An unresponsive organization that finally—8 months later, I was given was money than requested.
Doesn't "get" nonprofits and issues, Difficult to work with, Bureaucratic, Risk averse
Illinois
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2023
Bad
Hard to get updates during the process.
Bad
I’d like to see Walder relax their application guidelines and be more transparent about their process.
Be prepared for a long application process. I was told that rescheduling of board meetings was the cause of delays. However, Walder doesn’t have a board. Asks questions at the start about timing and what the real budgets are. I was given a range to apply for, but then given a much lesser amount because the “funding budget was limited.”
20
