The results of the 2019 survey show improvements since 2016, including:

  • Clarity of communications about our goals and strategies;
  • Transparency and openness to grantees’ ideas;
  • Providing grantees with non-monetary support; and
  • Strong relationships with grantees involved in strategy, evaluation, and learning work with us.

The survey results also show areas in need of additional attention. It found that grantees, at times, propose projects they think we are most likely to fund, rather than what they think would be most helpful or needed for their organization. This showcases the power imbalance in our relationships with grantees, a dynamic we seek to address.

Next Steps:

Over the past few months, we have examined the survey results and agreed on a number of concrete actions and next steps.

  • We will strengthen our communications with grantees about strategy transitions, theories of change, and plans for evaluation and learning.
  • We will deepen our interactions with grantees, focused on developing close and trusted relationships with them, and facilitate ways for grantees to meet and learn from one another.
  • We will create more avenues for grantees to tell us what they need to be stable and vibrant in delivering on their missions, such as non-monetary forms of support.

While we have made progress, we continue to learn from our grantees and find better ways to partner with them.

Read the full article about grantee feedback by John Palfrey at MacArthur Foundation.