INSIGHT

Envisioning Your Role as a Responsive Steward

Earlier this year, PEAK released a suite of resources supporting our Steward Responsively Principle, which calls on grantmakers to reframe risk and to recalibrate their vetting process to make it more transparent, more trust-based, more nonprofit- and community-centered, and less burdensome. Being a change agent for responsive stewardship begins with three actions, which we explore via three how-to guides that are exclusive to Organization Members.

Here, we share highlights from these resources to help you develop a deeper understanding of the actions you can take to embed equity in how you vet grant applicants, assess nonprofit financials, and deploy technology.

PEER NETWORK SPOTLIGHT

PEAK offers members diverse peer spaces for learning, sharing, and evolving in our thriving chapters and peer groups. Each month, we showcase the meaningful programming and networking taking place in these volunteer-led spaces. 

PEAK Rocky Mountain, along with a number of fellow Colorado based philanthropy-supporting organizations, cohosted a party with a cause. Conceptualized by Vu Le, the Party to Enhance Equity in Philanthropy (PEEP) was an opportunity that brought together nonprofit and philanthropic leaders to mix, mingle, and discuss tools that support breaking down inherent power dynamics that arise in funder and nonprofit relationships.

PEAK Delaware Valley hosted a discussion that centered on cultivating authentic relationships with the communities we serve. Featured speaker De’Amon Harges shared the importance of listening to one another, why it is imperative to actively and meaningfully involve community residents and organizations in our grantmaking, and how we can develop authentic relationships and partnerships with communities as philanthropists.

PEAK in Community 

Here’s the latest on how PEAK is engaging with members, partners, nonprofits, and allies in advocating for transformative change and leading the way in advancing equitable and effective grantmaking practices.

President and CEO Satonya Fair delivered her lecture “From Scarcity to Abundance” to the Bowie State University Philanthropy Initiative. As newcomers to philanthropy, fellows were invited to carefully examine how scarcity mindsets present within the philanthropic ecosystem, particularly in funding and operational practices at funding institutions. Philanthropy is a resource and idea as rich as our communities and the nonprofits that do the hard work on the ground. With an abundance mindset to frame this work, we can move more quickly toward solutions. Satonya is also joining Bowie State’s Advisory Committee to support this fellowship and other key initiatives.

Senior Communications Director Betsy Reid participated in the Catchafire online panel discussion “Bridging the Communications Gap Between Funders and Nonprofits” alongside three sector communications colleagues: Helen Shum, Meyer Memorial Trust; Kathleen Murphy Toms, GivingTuesday; and Erin Dreiling, Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. The conversation delved into how strategic communications can strengthen foundation-grantee relationships by demonstrating the values of trust, inclusion, and true partnership.

CAREER SUPPORT

The Latest on PEAK’s Job Board

Explore career opportunities from across our member community. Searching for a new team member? PEAK members are invited to add job postings at no cost. Simply log in, complete a brief form, and your post will be added shortly.

Here are a few current opportunities:

• Program Officer | Perenchio Foundation, Los Angeles, CA 
• Analyst, Integrated Initiatives – Grants | TCC Group, New York, NY 
• Manager, Grants Management | Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, Eden Prairie, MN | Minneapolis, MN | St. Paul, MN 
• Grants Manager | Caring for Colorado, Denver, CO 
• Scholarship Intern | Maine Community Foundation, Portland, ME | Remote 
• Analyst, Grant Systems | Getty Foundation/J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, CA | Hybrid