Nonprofit-Grantmaker Relations: Tools for Trust and Transparency

Overview

GrantAdvisor is a website that facilitates open dialogue between nonprofits and grantmakers by collecting authentic, real-time reviews and comments on grantseekers' experiences working with funders to encourage more productive philanthropy. GrantAdvisor will launch simultaneously in California and Minnesota in July 2017, with new locations and partnerships to be announced in 2018.

Nonprofits can write reviews anonymously and once a funder receives 5 reviews, the data on that funder will be posted publicly and funders will have the opportunity to respond to reviews.

In addition to aggregating feedback on the grant application process, GrantAdvisor will provide a forum to share views on how funders influence their field. This allows funders to understand how they are perceived as leaders and influencers, not simply as grantmakers, and (not that the analogy isn't obvious enough): if you're going on a trip, you check TripAdvisor; if you're going to apply for a grant, you check GrantAdvisor! 

Our Speakers

Jessamyn Shams-Lau

Jessamyn joined the Peery Foundation as its first staff member in 2009. Currently, as Executive Director, Jessamyn is responsible for developing and guiding the Foundation's grantee-centric philanthropy while bringing the Foundation Board's vision to life.

Jessamyn utilizes her experience as part of the founding Ashoka U team in her hands-on role as a Board Member of BYU's Ballard Center, where she has created curriculum now taught at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.  High school dropout turned MBA, Jessamyn is an advocate for interdisciplinary approaches, thoughtful risk taking, and bold ideas developed through apprenticing with a problem.

Jan Masaoka

Jan Masaoka is CEO of the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits), a statewide policy alliance of more than 10,000 nonprofits speaking to government, philanthropy, and the public at large. 

Prior to CalNonprofits, she served 14 years as executive director of CompassPoint Nonprofit Services in which position she was named Nonprofit Executive of the Year by Nonprofit Times. She is an eight-time designee as one of the "Fifty Most Influential" people in the nonprofit sector nationwide and was named California Community Leader of the Year by Leadership California. Her volunteer work includes serving as chair of Asian Pacific Islander Wellness Center and founding chair of Community Initaitives; she currently serves on the board of MapLight and on the National Public Policy Committee of Independent Sector.

Free for Thrive Members

Non-members - $30