35 survey respondents
Location: 2390 El Camino Real, Suite #260, Palo Alto, 94306 CA
EIN: 94-2460894
97%
3%
5 hours
Median
86%
14%
77%
23%
2017 Deadlines:
Types of Grants Awarded:
Geographic Focus:
For Fiscal Year
Total Assets:
Total Grants:
Change in Assets FY :
Amount of Grants to Minnesota Nonprofits:
Largest Grant:
Smallest Grant:
Average Grant:
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.
California
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2020
Average
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.
5
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.
California
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2017
10
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?
California
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2019
Good
Bad
live your principles.
PF - you did more than nearly anyone else for our work which is why your recent decision to unwind is so painful.
Was a true pioneer in the field of grantee-centric funding (until they weren't.)
20
Did not apply
Have a call first then spend time on proposals
Inadvertently exerts negative influence in the field, Doesn't "get" nonprofits and issues, Difficult to work with, Culturally incompetent
(Unknown)
Did not apply
2017
Bad
Bad
To stop being hypocritical, this founder does not walk the talk
The PR does not match the practice
Public relations
0
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
Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
Lead person is smart, engaged, kind and insightful. Generous with her time and ideas.
(Unknown)
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2018
Good
Average
Keep up the good work.
Listens deeply and seeks to understand the challenges.
2
Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback! We really appreciate hearing about your experience with us.
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.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
Colorado
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2018
Good
Good
0
Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback! We really appreciate hearing about your experience with us.
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.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Culturally sensitive, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues
California
Current or former grantee
Funded for greater amount
2018
Good
As grantees, and several year before that, former grantees, we have found Peery quite accessible. Their commitment to responding to email in a timely fashion is exemplary.
Good
They walk the talk! And they write the talk. Their Executive Director is a co-author of Unicorns Unite, more than a book, a movement to address common dysfunction between grantors and grantees and the power imbalance between them.
0
Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback! We really appreciate hearing about your experience with us.
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.
Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded
(Unknown)
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2016
Good
Good
It is good that you are not demanding in terms of reporting requirements and we always have great updates call but it would be helpful to have more straightforward conversations about possible renewal funding and/or additional funding for specific projects, to understand where we stand in your portfolio.
Family Foundation that really feels like a family! Family members care a lot about the team of the foundation and about their grantees, they travel to see our work and are easy to connect with at events and conferences. We feel close and valued!
Share transparent and honest feedback, create friendly, close relationships with grantees, give reference for other funders, take time to understand strategy and challenges.
6
Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback! We really appreciate hearing about your experience with us.
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!
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
California
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2017
Good
Good
Be willing to consider programs outside the South Bay/Peninsula/SF region that are doing great work!
open, transparent conversations
5
Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback! We really appreciate hearing about your experience with us.
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
Positive leader in the field, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
(Unknown)
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2018
Good
Good
Set out the next 12 month process in the relationship
Minimize cumbersome reporting requirements
24
Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback! We really appreciate hearing about your experience with us.
