AGENDA
We’re excited to share a preview of the PEAK2027 Atlanta agenda. You can expect a full agenda in early 2027, and attendees will be able to build their schedules in our convening app.
Explore our high-level agenda and start planning your time in Atlanta!
We also offer preconvening programming on March 15 and 16 that you can add to your registration. Explore those opportunities here.
REGISTRATION
PEAK2027 Atlanta registration will open on October 15.
Organization Member
Consultant Member
Individual Member
Non-member
Organization Member
Consultant Member
Individual Member
Non-member
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
The PEAK2027 call for proposals is open! We’re seeking session proposals that bring this vision to life through practical knowledge, accessible design, and fresh insights across our competency tracks. Whether you’re exploring bold ideas in process design, technology, or sharing stories of impact, we want to hear how you and your peers are advancing equitable and efficient grantmaking in your everyday practice. Explore our Call for Proposals to learn more about session tracks, submission types, and helpful tips for crafting your proposal.
The deadline for application submissions is Thursday, November 5, 2026. Please note we don’t anticipate extending the deadline this year.
SPONSORS & EXHIBITORS
PEAK2027 will be a celebration of the power of community, especially during challenging times, to protect what is sacred to our community and make lasting change both in and beyond our sector. Our theme, Together We Transform, will highlight how you—our members and community—are continuing to implement better, more equitable grantmaking practices despite the headwinds we are facing.
We invite you to demonstrate your commitment to equitable grantmaking and the PEAK community by partnering with us for PEAK2027. Learn more in our sponsor guide.
Ready to support PEAK2027? Sign up here by February 12, 2027.
Meet Our Sponsors

Meet Our Exhibitors

VIRTUAL
Join us for a two-day virtual event on May 19–20, 2027. This web-exclusive event—including keynote discussions, hands-on workshops and engaging panel discussions, pop-up roundtables with networking, and lunchtime keynotes—is designed to give you actionable tools and approaches to build essential skills right from your own desk.
Registration will open December 10.
ACCESSIBILITY
PEAK Grantmaking is committed to ensuring that our programs, events, and resources are as accessible as possible. From program design to vendor choices, we’re committed to creating a space where every participant feels welcomed, supported, and able to engage fully. When you register for PEAK2027, we’ll ask you to tell us what accessibility support you need so that we can make every effort to accommodate reasonable requests.
Our efforts are guided and supported by a subcommittee of our PEAK2027 planning committee that is dedicated to disability and inclusion. Questions? Email Kristen Craig at kristen@peakgrantmaking.org.
Key Dates for Accessibility support:
- February 12, 2027: Convening attendees can make accessibility requests during the registration process. However, if an accessibility need arises after registration, please submit your request by February 12, 2027.
- March 3, 2027: Accessibility features webinar. This is not required, but this is offered for attendees to be aware of all PEAK2026 accessibility options.
How do I request accessibility support?
When you register for the convening, you will have the opportunity to request accommodations that make it possible for you to fully participate in the convening.
If an accessibility need arises after registering for the convening, please submit your request by February 12, 2027 to Kristen Craig at kristen@peakgrantmaking.org. PEAK will make every effort to accommodate requests received by the deadline. If we have questions about your request, we will contact you directly.
I have a support person. Do they need to be registered as well?
Yes, if you need someone to support your participation and accessibility needs, they need to register. Please indicate this when you register, and we will reach out to you about complimentary registration for your support person.
I would like to contact someone regarding my accessibility needs. How should I reach out?
Please email Kristen Craig at kristen@peakgrantmaking.org, and she will reach out to you shortly to ensure your needs are met.
How can I learn about the accessibility features at PEAK2026?
Join us on Wednesday, March 3, from 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. ET, for our virtual accessibility orientation. PEAK staff will review how you can ask questions before the convening to help you prepare in addition to how to use the accessibility features in-person and on the convening platform. Registration is coming soon. If you can’t make it live, don’t worry—the session will be recorded and emailed to all registered participants.
We are holding time for an in-person accessibility tour on Tuesday, March 16, from 8:00 a.m.–8:30 a.m. ET. This tour allows attendees who would benefit from advance familiarity to get comfortable with the hotel and convening spaces. Please note, this tour will be canceled if no attendees add it to their personal agenda in the Cvent (our convening app). To ensure the tour proceeds, you must add the tour to your agenda in Cvent. If confirmed, we’ll meet you at the location listed in the app agenda.
What do I need to know about the convening platform regarding accessibility?
PEAK2027 uses Cvent as the convening platform. You will use this platform to access the schedule and details about each session, receive notifications from the PEAK team, and to network and join discussions. The platform is available as an app on your mobile device and via a web browser. For both the app and browser versions, you will use the email address you used when you registered for the convening to login.
The Cvent app and website provide the same information; however, chat functions and closed captioning are easier to use through the browser than the mobile app.
Will seating be reserved for mobility or sight needs?
For all breakouts and keynotes, PEAK will provide reserved spaces for individuals using mobility devices in the front and back of each room. During the registration process, you can indicate if you need this reserved space. If you don’t need to use this space, keep these designated areas and aisles clear.
Can you provide more guidance about the hotel, and the surrounding area?
PEAK2027 will take place at the Altana Marriott Marquis located at 265 Peachtree Center Avenue NE in downtown Atlanta, Georgia.
Our Welcome Reception will be held at Zoo Atlanta, which is an ADA-compliant facility with wide, accessible ramps and walkways reaching all areas of the park. Please note that the grounds include some natural elevation changes and sloped pathways throughout the property, and a small portion of the Delta Savanna Terrace is accessible by stairs only.
Transportation will be provided that is equipped with wheelchair lifts or ramps to ensure accessibility for all attendees.
Please note the surrounding environment:
The venue is located in the vibrant downtown district of Atlanta, near Centennial Olympic Park, the Georgia Aquarium, and the World of Coca-Cola. While the immediate area is bustling and walkable, attendees navigating downtown should be mindful of typical urban infrastructure conditions, such as uneven sidewalks, curb transitions, and ongoing city construction.
Additionally, parts of Atlanta feature notable elevation changes, with streets and sidewalks rising sharply in certain areas. Manual wheelchair users may encounter steep grades; utilizing MARTA buses for short connections can help prevent fatigue or preserve battery power on power wheelchairs. Curb cuts are available at the majority of downtown intersections.
We encourage you to click here for information on local attractions with accessibility features. Please note that this external resource focuses primarily on physical accessibility.
What accessibility services are available at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)?
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) strives to provide a safe, enjoyable travel experience as well as equal access for guests and passengers with disabilities and/or special needs.
- Wheelchair Support: Contact your airline directly before traveling to request wheelchair assistance at the airport.
- TSA Assistance: Contact TSA Cares toll-free at (855) 787-2227 (72 hours in advance) with any questions about security screening policies.
- Sensory Support: A multisensory room is available on the Concourse F departure level for neurodivergent travelers and those on the autism spectrum.
- Airport Amenities Map: You can download or print ATL’s ADA and Special Services Map, which identifies wheelchair charging stations, adult changing stations, service animal relief areas, nursing rooms, and TTY/TDD phones across the terminals.
What are the transportation options in Atlanta?
Bus & Rail Accessibility: MARTA rail stations feature elevator and escalator access, while buses offer low-floor ramp entry. Bus operators and automated systems announce major stops, transfer points, and requested destinations.
Paratransit (MARTA Mobility): If you require shared-ride paratransit services, MARTA Mobility provides advance-reservation trips. You can contact the MARTA Mobility Eligibility Department at (404) 848-5389 for details or to request an application. Individuals with a hearing impairment may use Georgia Relay Service at 711 or TTY 1-800-255-0135.
In addition to public transit and rideshares, attendees requiring dedicated accessible vehicles can utilize local providers such as Fulton Wheelchair Transportation (FCW). FCW offers specialized non-emergency wheelchair and ambulatory transport across the greater Atlanta area, including airport service. Vehicles feature ramps or lifts with full driver assistance. For more details or to schedule a ride, visit fcwtransportation.com or call (470) 818-8115.
What’s the weather like in Atlanta?
Mid-March in Atlanta brings pleasant early-spring weather, with average daytime highs around 65°F (18°C) and cooler evenings dipping near 45°F (7°C). Days are typically mild, but spring showers can happen, so we recommend packing layers—like sweaters or light jackets—along with an umbrella or rain coat for outdoor walks between sessions and downtown exploration.
I have specific dietary restrictions and/or food allergies. Are you able to accommodate my needs?
During registration, you will be able to indicate any dietary restrictions and/or food allergies. Most meals will be served buffet style and will be labeled with ingredients and potential allergens. If you need assistance during mealtimes, attendants will be nearby to help select food and take it to your table.
What wellness and comfort rooms are available onsite?
To ensure a comfortable and accessible experience for all attendees, we are pleased to offer the following dedicated spaces and commitments:
- Wellness Room (Noise-Free Space): A designated, quiet space will be available for attendees needing a sensory break. This room will be stocked with resources like coloring books, puzzles, and fidget toys. We kindly ask that attendees refrain from taking phone calls in this room to maintain the quiet environment.
- Lactation Room: A private room will be available for nursing parents. This dedicated space is equipped with a comfortable chair, necessary outlets, and a mini-fridge.
- Scent-Free Commitment: We are committed to making PEAK2027 a scent-free event to protect those with environmental sensitivities. We ask all attendees and staff to refrain from wearing scented products (e.g., perfume, cologne, essential oils).
FAQ
Who should attend PEAK2027?
The PEAK Grantmaking community is dedicated to transforming philanthropy by leading the way in operationalizing equitable, effective grantmaking practices. Currently, our community consists of professionals from all types and sizes of funding institutions who work in grants management, information technology, programs, operations, evaluation and learning, and executive-level roles. In addition, our community includes vendor partners and folks working at philanthropy-supporting organizations. Speaking generally, these professionals have multidisciplinary backgrounds and play a part in stewarding the grantmaking process within funding institutions.
What is the hotel and venue for PEAK2027?
We are hosting the convening at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, located at 265 Peachtree Center Avenue NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30303 . Our negotiated room rate is $269 per night. To book a room at the hotel, you may use this form link. Alternatively, you may contact the hotel at (404) 521-0000.
What is the Virtual Add-On, and how does it differ from PEAK 2027 Online?
PEAK2027 in Atlanta and PEAK2027 Online are two separate events, but if you plan to attend both, you can purchase a discounted Virtual Add-On alongside your in-person registration for the convening in Atlanta.
If you only want to attend virtually, standalone registration opens on December 10th at the standard full price. The content and online access are identical either way—the only difference is the bundled discount for in-person convening attendees.
Does PEAK provide childcare services onsite?
PEAK does not provide on-site or coordinated childcare services during the convening. However, we strive to support parents and caregivers attending our event:
- Lactation Room: A dedicated, private lactation space is available on-site for nursing parents.
- Welcome Reception: Children are welcome to attend our opening Welcome Reception at Zoo Atlanta! A children’s ticket can be purchased during registration.
What health and safety measures are PEAK taking?
In order to ensure that this is a safe event for all, attendees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and may need to wear a mask while at the meeting. PEAK Grantmaking will waive vaccination requirements for religious or medical reasons. The honor system will be used to implement these requirements, and we will not require physical proof of vaccination status or exemptions.
Review PEAK’s In-Person Meetings Health and Safety Guidelines
Attendees are responsible for their own health and care. If you feel unwell or test positive for COVID at any point while in Atlanta during PEAK2027, please notify us immediately.
Please email Kristen Craig at kristen@peakgrantmaking.org with the subject line “PEAK2027 Illness Notification” as soon as you receive a positive test result or suspect you are ill. We will follow up with confidential instructions. We ask that you do not attend the remaining in-person sessions. In addition, we recommend monitoring your symptoms closely and seeking medical care if necessary.
Will there be an option to participate virtually?
Yes! Join us for PEAK2027 Online, May 19–20, 2027. Whether it’s a hands-on workshop or an engaging panel discussion, networking event, or keynote over lunch, each event on the virtual agenda will offer attendees actionable tools and approaches to build essential competencies and skills from the comfort of their own learning environment.
This is a great option for those who want to continue their learning journey after the convening or who can’t join us in person!
Are scholarships available?
Yes! We recognize that not everyone has the budget to participate in professional development opportunities. We are thrilled to offer scholarships to current members of the PEAK community who would otherwise not be able to attend PEAK2027 due to limited professional development budgets. Scholarships cover the registration fee for attending the in-person convening and three hotel room nights at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.
You can find the scholarship application form here. Scholarship applications will close on December 3, 2026. Accepted applicants will be notified by mid-December 2026.
Eligibility: Scholarships are open to any individual working for a grantmaking institution or philanthropy-supporting organization. You must be a US citizen and a member of PEAK Grantmaking. Priority will be given to PEAK volunteers and highly-engaged members and those who are committed to operationalizing the Principles for Peak Grantmaking to be change agents for philanthropy, with a focus on empowering a diverse group of philanthropy professionals.
Is group registration available?
You may absolutely register a group of colleagues for the convening! Before you begin the group registration, please ensure that each of your colleagues already has a PEAK account. You can confirm this by logging into your PEAK account here, clicking My Affiliations on the left side panel, and clicking Manage Roster next to your organization’s name.
You should also ensure that you’ve collected the responses to the registration questions for each of your colleagues, which includes their pronouns, dietary restrictions/food allergies, any accommodations needed, emergency contact information, whether it is their first PEAK convening, mobile number, any pre-cons they’d like to attend, whether they’d like to opt-in to communications from our exhibitors, and finally, whether they agree to PEAK’s Event Terms and Conditions.
Then, visit the PEAK2027 Annual Convening registration page. Click Register. Select Register Myself and click Next. Select Attendee and click Next. Confirm your registration selection(s) and click Next. Enter your responses to the registration questions and click Checkout. Click Add Another Registration. Select the PEAK2027 Annual Convening event from the list of upcoming events. Click Register. Select Register a Colleague and click Next. Select Attendee and click Next. Confirm their registration selection(s) and click Next. Enter their responses to the registration questions and click Checkout. Continue clicking Add Another Registration until your colleagues’ registrations are in the cart. Enter your payment information and click Submit to finalize the order.
If you have any questions or would like support with registering your group, please reach out to us at info@peakgrantmaking.org.
What payment methods do you accept for registration?
We require that all registration fees be paid by credit card at the time of registration. However, if your organization is only able to pay by ACH or check, please reach out to us at info@peakgrantmaking.org to request an invoice. Please note: Your registration will not be confirmed until payment has been received.
I have already registered for PEAK2027, but I would like to add a pre-convening workshop registration or the PEAK2027 Online add-on registration to my order. How can I do that?
To modify your registration, log into your PEAK account here. Click My Registrations on the left side panel. Under Upcoming Registrations, click Edit under your PEAK2027 Annual Convening registration. From there, you’ll be able to add a pre-convening workshop registration or the PEAK2027 Online add-on registration to your order. To confirm your addition, pay the remaining balance on the order and click Submit.
What is your cancellation and substitution policy?
Cancellation requests for PEAK2027 registrations received by February 25, 2027 will be eligible for a partial refund (registration price minus a $50 nonrefundable administrative fee). Cancellation requests received after February 25, 2027 will not be eligible for a refund.
Participants may also choose to transfer their registration to a colleague or peer at the same organization who also has the same membership level. Transfers must be completed by March 11, 2027. No refunds will be issued for transferred registrations.
Requests for cancellations and substitutions must be submitted via email to info@peakgrantmaking.org.
What is the photo, video, and media policy for this event?
During PEAK2027, we will be photographing and recording various aspects of our programs, and your image, voice, and conversations might be captured. In addition, we capture evaluation data for programming design and testimonial purposes. By registering for this event, attendees accept the terms of our Photography, Video, and Audio Release:
By participating in this convening, you authorize PEAK Grantmaking to use and reproduce any photographs, videos, chats, and audio recordings taken, for promotion or distribution. PEAK Grantmaking recognizes that people have varying levels of comfort being recorded. For more information, please contact info@peakgrantmaking.org.
Are there sponsorship opportunities?
PEAK2027 will be a celebration of the power of community, especially during challenging times, to protect what is sacred to our community and make lasting change both in and beyond our sector. Our theme, Together We Transform, will highlight how you—our members and community—are continuing to implement better, more equitable grantmaking practices despite the headwinds we are facing.
Learn all about sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities in our 2027 sponsor guide. If you’d like to support our convening, please complete our commitment form by February 12, 2027.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Sara Richman Sanders at sara@peakgrantmaking.org
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you to the PEAK2027 Planning Committee for your leadership!
- Abby Vankudre, Bob Woodruff Foundation, Committee Member
- Alessandra Dias Barboza, Resources Legacy Fund, Committee Member
- Amy Alora Hall, Georgia Power Foundation, Committee Member
- Angela Ballantyne, Betty & Davis Fitzgerald Foundation, Committee Member
- Angela Finley Hunter, The Imlay Foundation, Inc., Cochair
- Angela Randle, The Coca-Cola Company, Committee Member
- Ariel Santillan, Rural Democracy Initiative, Committee Member
- Caroleena Vargas, The Solutions Project, Committee Member
- Cindy Alvarado, May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust, Committee Member
- Dan Darbandi, Broad Reach Foundation, Committee Member
- Dylan Gandy, The Marcus Foundation, Committee Member
- Eliza French, Citi Foundation, Committee Member
- Emma Carpenter, Caring for Colorado Foundation, Committee Member
- Jamie Melius, Mid Atlantic Arts, Committee Member
- Jenny Zhang Morgan, Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, Committee Member
- Joanna Castro, West Harlem Development Corporation, Committee Member
- Julia Plume, ClimateWorks Foundation, Committee Member
- Kenneth Chu, NeighborWorks America, Cochair
- Laura Heiman, United Way of Greater Atlanta, Committee Member
- M.J. Thorne, The Goizueta Foundation, Committee Member
- Megan Hophan, The Heinz Endowments, Committee Member
- Monica Heyward, The Cannon Foundation, Inc., Committee Member
- Monica Nixon, Ernst & Young LLP, Committee Member
- Racquel Lee-Sin, Florida Blue, Committee Member
- Rupal Shah, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Committee Member
- S.E. Spencer Keziah, Philanthropy Southeast, Committee Member
- Samantha Ann Beasley, R. Howard Dobbs, Jr. Foundation, Committee Member
- Sarah Sprott, Candid, Committee Member
- Shana Sabbath, Montgomery County Public Schools Educational Foundation, Inc., Committee Member
- Sheiron Sanchez, Sisters Health Foundation, Committee Member
- Stephanie G Richards, Morgan Family Foundation, Committee Member
- Tiffany Welch, Next50, Committee Member
- Traci Austin, Internet Society Foundation, Cochair
- Yasmine Hannan, Proteus Fund, Committee Member
