The Overdeck Family Foundation in New York City has released the results of its latest Grantee Perception Report from the Center for Effective Philanthropy.

Based on responses from 97 grantee organizations, a response rate of 81 percent, the report found significant improvements compared with the 2019 survey in how clearly the foundation communicated its goals and strategy, from the ninth percentile to the 45th percentile among comparable foundations. Ratings also rose for the foundation’s grantmaking process, from around the 35th percentile to the 67th percentile, and for its impact on the field, from below the 20th percentile to the 45th percentile. The foundation also received high ratings on the strength of its relationships with grantees, including approachability (58th percentile) and responsiveness (90th percentile). Remaining areas for improvement included the straightforwardness and consistency of communication to ensure that grantees have clarity on the implications of its funding model and strategic priorities.

In response to the 2019 report, the foundation increased its non-monetary assistance to grantees, with 45 percent of respondents in the latest survey receiving such assistance — although it fell short of the foundation's own goals due to delayed implementation of its new strategy. Nearly all (95 percent) of grantees receiving non-monetary support said it benefited their work, and recipients rated the foundation significantly higher on other measures, including its impact on and understanding of their fields and organizations.

The survey found that while 80 percent of the foundation’s grants benefited historically disadvantaged groups, compared with 70 percent at the average funder, grantees’ perceptions of the foundation’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts were mixed. Only 19 percent of its grantees are led by people of color, compared with 27 percent at the average funder, and those grantees rated the foundation lower on some measures, including approachability, understanding the needs of intended beneficiaries, and openness to grantees’ ideas.

In 2022, the foundation will continue to provide larger multiyear general operating support grants to direct impact organizations “after an initial successful pilot grant,” wrote data and insights manager Megan Morrison. The foundation already has taken steps to better support capacity building, she added, including “dedicating personnel to organizing our non-monetary support strategy; partnering with third-party providers who can help organizations improve in key capacity-building areas such as revenue models, impact evaluations, and cost analysis; and engaging in additional training and upskilling opportunities for our internal team so they can be better partners to our grantees.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Violeta Stoimenova)