Skip to content
PEAK Grantmaking

PEAK2026 Second Set Series

In St. Louis, the “second set” is where the magic happens. Just as blues musicians in the Gateway City use the first set to establish the groove, they use the second set to take the core melodies into deeper and soulful territory.

In that spirit, we are carrying forward the lessons and learnings from PEAK2026 with the Second Set Series this summer to feature the top-rated breakout sessions from the convening, June 24–August 12. Each standalone session offers grants professionals a chance to explore the key policies, evolving practices, and emerging trends influencing the sector today.

Series Overview

Sessions

How Better Questions Can Transform Grantmaking Practice

Wednesday, June 24, 12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m. ET

Philanthropy is often rich in answers—but what if the path to greatest impact lies in asking better questions? In this interactive workshop, Siegel Family Endowment will introduce inquiry-driven grantmaking: a practical, iterative approach that centers curiosity and draws on the emerging “Science of Questions” as a foundation for effective and equitable philanthropy.

By attending this session, participant will:

  • Understand the principles of inquiry-driven grantmaking.
  • Practice incorporating learning questions into grantmaking priorities.
  • Gain practical tools (templates, case studies, whitepaper) to embed inquiry across the grant cycle.
  • Learn approaches for collaboratively pursuing learning questions and metrics with grantees to advance equity and shared learning.
Speaker

Kyla Kasharian, Siegel Family Endowment

Measuring What Matters: Exploration and Rethinking of Reporting Processes

Wednesday, July 8, 12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m. ET

Weaving together Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) research, data from a recent study commissioned by the Grove Foundation about current and alternative reporting processes, and insights from grantmakers themselves, this session will provide grantmakers with new data to inform to their strategies and processes, sample tools and practices, and peer-tested approaches to develop essential competencies in equitable, efficient, and learning-oriented reporting.

Attendees will:

  • Share findings from CEP’s dataset and research on funder reporting processes.
  • Gain exposure to practical tools and real-world examples of alternative reporting approaches.
  • Participate in dialogue to identify actionable steps to strengthen reporting practices at their organizations.
Speakers

Kevin Bolduc, Center for Effective Philanthropy
Blanch Vance, The Grove Foundation
Rory Neuner, Barr Foundation
Rebecca McCoy, Annie E. Casey Foundation

Data Viz for Impact: Designing Grant Dashboards that Drive Action

Wednesday, August 5, 12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m. ET

Join this session to explore how data visualization can transform grantmaking by turning raw data and complex processes into easy-to-understand information with clear, actionable insights. Through two real-world examples using common tools like Power BI, Power Automate, and SharePoint, participants will learn how to choose key metrics for reporting and how to assess existing data for maximizing impact. The session will highlight various methods for change management, incorporating user feedback, communicating insights that drive strategic decisions and policy changes.

Attendees will learn how and when to:

  • Use data visualization, its value in grantmaking, and choosing key metrics for reporting
  • Transform raw data and processes into understandable, actionable reports
  • Incorporate user feedback into a data project and implement best change management practices
  • Use data to uncover insights, gaps, or trends in grantmaking processes, and to communicate those insights for strategic decisions and policy changes
Speakers

Matthew Romeo, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Julia Goldman, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

From Healing Others to Healing Ourselves: Building Cultures of Wellness and Leadership in Philanthropy

Wednesday, August 12, 12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m. ET

Across the social sector, both funders and nonprofits are navigating profound organizational and cultural shifts. This session explores how two foundations are intentionally strengthening their own internal cultures while simultaneously working to disrupt and reimagine the broader work culture of the nonprofit sector. Rooted in lessons learned from investing in our nonprofit partners, collaborating with evaluation partners, and from our own journeys of modeling a culture of care, we will share insights on what it means to align values, well-being, and impact within philanthropy.

Attendees will:

  • Examine how two foundations are strengthening their internal organizational cultures while influencing and modeling cultural change within the nonprofit sector.
  • Engage participants in a Solution Sprint activity to co-create innovative strategies for strengthening organizational culture and leadership resilience across the philanthropic ecosystem.
  • Feature the perspective of an evaluator on using evaluation as a tool to ground through culture transformation processes.
Speakers

Brittney Frazier, Allegany Franciscan Ministries
Abby Siegal Hyman, The Healing Trust
Shelby Anderson-Holt, Q-Q Research Consultants

What to expect

Each standalone session is 90 minutes with registrants to have access to the recorded session for a month post-event.

Registration

Cost per person for each session:

  • Organization Members: $50 per session
  • Consultant Members: $50 per session
  • Individual Members: $75 per session
  • Nonmembers: $75 per session

Not yet a part of the PEAK community? We invite all grantmaking professionals to sign up for a complimentary Individual Membership.

PEAK Staff Support

For more information on registration, please contact Senior Membership Manager Clare Larson at clare@peakgrantmaking.org. For questions related to training content and materials, please contact Senior Knowledge and Learning Manager Vanessa Elkan at vanessa@peakgrantmaking.org.