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PEAK Grantmaking

Join Us

We are a community of 8,000 grants management professionals and 500 contributing organizations leading the way in advancing equitable, effective grantmaking practices. Together, we can transform philanthropy.

NCF 2019 Portraits

Being a part of this national network of philanthropy peers dedicated to creating positive change has empowered individuals across our organization to be change agents and ambassadors for new and inclusive ways of thinking and working.

Janet Disla, Director of Asset Management
The Nathan Cummings Foundation

PEAK membership has been a great asset to my growing team. We learn from and with the PEAK community about how to best make meaningful impact, build close and productive partnerships with grantees and other key players, and be responsive and forward-thinking in every aspect of the work that we do in this ever-evolving field. It is for these reasons and many others that Helmsley has been a member and supporter of PEAK for more than a decade.

Christopher Percopo, Director of Grants Information and Management
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust

We strive to be an exceptional grantmaker and partner. The access to new tools, knowledge, and skills that PEAK membership affords us as an international grant operations team is invaluable in challenging our thinking, inspiring creativity and ingenuity, and enabling us to share best practice amongst our peers globally.

Michiel Kemeling, Senior Global Operations Manager
Laudes Foundation
AR2021-Headshot_Canales

We are deeply proud of our long association with PEAK, which has now spanned more than two decades. PEAK has been such an important partner to us as we have learned from others, networked, and sought to integrate best practices into our grantmaking.

Jim Canales, President and Trustee
Barr Foundation

PEAK has done an amazing job of elevating the roles of grants management professionals as changemakers. I love being involved with, contributing to, and learning from this fantastic community of doers, learners, and leaders.

Arlene Wilson-Grant, Director of Grants Management
Disability Rights Fund

As a consultant, I continually refer to PEAK’s thought leadership and full suite of services to emphasize how critical grants management and operation roles are the foundation for giving back effectively.

Chindaly Chounlamountry Griffith, President
Streamlife Consulting
PEAK2022 Committee Cochair
Stupski_Glen Galaich

Grantmaking practice is at the heart of our own equity journey. And without the inspiration and demonstration we have received with the work of PEAK, we wouldn’t be where we are today. To support this leadership, we significantly increased our support to PEAK this year with a no-term, no-report general operating support grant.

Glen Galaich, CEO
Stupski Foundation

We joined PEAK to provide staff with educational opportunities that connect them with other philanthropy professionals, strengthen our grantmaking practices, and improve outcomes. I’ve participated with PEAK since 2002, and the support of this community has given me the knowledge I need to influence practice change in my organization.

Deena Scotti, Vice President of Program Administration
Missouri Foundation for Health

Organization Membership

Champion courageous practice change in philanthropy: As a PEAK contributing member, you’ll join 500 peer grantmaking organizations who are leading the way to advance equitable, effective grantmaking practices.

Benefits

You and your team gain all-inclusive access to our complete range of benefits, including:

  • Our comprehensive and growing suite of member exclusive resources and tools, including how-to guides, case studies, and on-demand webinars on the Principles for Peak Grantmaking (our call to action to transform the practice of philanthropy into the practice of principled giving); plus, our latest research, trend reports, and more
  • Access to all PEAK programs, events, and convenings
  • Exclusive access to PEAK’s on-demand webinar library
  • Registration to any chapter meetings, local opportunities for connecting with members in your area to share knowledge, develop skills, and advance the profession
  • Access to PEAK Affinity Groups, identity-based groups for networking
  • Our member magazine, PEAK Grantmaking Journal
  • Exclusive access to emerging Communities of Practice, structured learning and sharing opportunities with your peers to stretch your learning edge and contribute to building knowledge for the field
  • PEAK’s biennial Grants Management Salary Report
  • Participation in our CONNECT online discussion forum, linking you to the combined knowledge of thousands of grants management professionals who help crowdsource solutions to important issues and serve as a ready peer cohort to exchange ideas
  • Interactive online courses for self-paced training
  • Our Member Directory, which you can use to help make and maintain connections with colleagues across the country
  • Discounts on registration for the PEAK annual convening and special events
  • A thought-leadership partner to support your organization as it relates to operationalizing principled practices and equity throughout your grantmaking practices

Eligibility

We welcome all staffed grantmaking organizations to join as Organization Members—including private/independent foundations, operating foundations, corporate foundations and giving programs, community foundations, government/public entities, and donor-advised funds.

Philanthropy-serving organizations and funder networks are also welcome to join at the minimum dues rate.

PEAK DuesTotal Annual Giving
$500Under $250,000
$750$250,000–$500,000
$1,000$500,000–$1,250,000
$1,500$1,250,000–$2,500,000
$2,000$2,500,000–$5,000,000
$3,000$5,000,000–$25,000,000
$3,500$25,000,000–$50,000,000
$7,000$50,000,000–$100,000,000
$10,000Above $100,000,000

For community foundations, dues are based on discretionary giving only.

In 2025-2026, PEAK will add an additional tier for grantmaking institutions with total annual giving $200m+ which will be $15,000 per year.

Amplify your support through a Sustaining Organization Membership

Many PEAK members contribute funding above and beyond their annual membership dues. This generous support makes it possible for PEAK Grantmaking to conduct the research and build the tools to support this amazing community of people working toward more equitable, effective grantmaking practices. Please include your additional support on your application or reach out to our team at info@peakgrantmaking.org to learn more.

Consultant Membership

Consultants are valued thought partners, volunteers, and contributors to PEAK’s work to transform philanthropy. Join our community of grantmaking professionals to hear their insights, share your expertise, and learn collaboratively how to advance equitable, effective grantmaking practices. Consultants are welcome to the PEAK community as dues-paying voting members.

Benefits

You and your team gain all-inclusive access to our complete range of benefits, including:

  • Participation in our CONNECT online discussion forum, linking you to the combined knowledge of thousands of grants management professionals who help crowdsource solutions to important issues and serve as a ready peer cohort to exchange ideas
  • Our Member Directory, which you can use to help make and maintain connections with colleagues across the country
  • Access to all PEAK programs, events, and convenings
  • Registration to any chapter meetings, local opportunities for connecting with members in your area to share knowledge, develop skills, and advance the profession
  • Exclusive access to PEAK’s on-demand webinar library
  • Exclusive access to emerging Communities of Practice, structured learning and sharing opportunities with your peers to stretch your learning edge and contribute to building knowledge for the field
  • Our comprehensive and growing suite of member exclusive resources and tools, including how-to guides, case studies, and on-demand webinars on the Principles for Peak Grantmaking (our call to action to transform the practice of philanthropy into the practice of principled giving); plus, our latest research, trend reports, and more
  • Access to PEAK Affinity Groups, identity-based groups for networking
  • Our member magazine, PEAK Grantmaking Journal
  • PEAK’s biennial Grants Management Salary Report
  • Interactive online courses for self-paced training
  • Discounts on registration for the PEAK annual convening and special events
  • A thought-leadership partner to support your organization as it relates to operationalizing principled practices and equity throughout your grantmaking practices

Eligibility

Consultants are welcome to join as contributing voting members. Consultants include those who are currently engaged on a paid basis for programmatic, management, administrative, governance, or strategy consulting to philanthropic organizations.

Consultants are not eligible for our complimentary Individual Membership, which is available to grantmaking professionals, and must join as Consultant Members to access our community and resources.

Consultant Member dues are based on the total number of staff.

PEAK DuesTotal Annual Giving of Clients
$500Sole Proprietor (1 staff)
$7502–5 staff
$1,5006–10 staff
$3,00011–25 staff
$5,00026+ staff

Current Individual and Organization Members who are transitioning from working at a grantmaking institution to becoming a sole proprietor consultant may have one year of discounted membership at the rate of $250 so that they can stay connected to the PEAK community during this career shift. 

As of November 2023, PEAK Grantmaking has shifted Consultant Membership dues from being based on total annual giving of clientele to being based on total number of staff. These changes will support our efforts to go deeper into practice change work with our Consultant Members, bring PEAK into better alignment with comparable philanthropy-supporting organizations, and ensure more equitable dues amounts amongst our Consultant Members.  Before finalizing this update, we spoke with many members who would be impacted by these changes to ensure support and understanding. The PEAK team will offer a grace period for current members to transition to the new dues structure.

Terms & Conditions

As trusted members of our community, consulting organizations are expected to refrain from solicitation. For complete details, read our Terms & Conditions Agreement.

Subscribe to PEAK Communications

If you do not wish to pay membership dues and have full membership benefits, sign up here to our communications to stay connected to our work, as well as to topics and trends that drive the field.

Individual Membership

We live our value of inclusivity and create a community of belonging for all by offering a complimentary membership to all grantmaking professionals. Sign up to join grants management colleagues in the PEAK community and access select resources and events.

Benefits

  • Participate in CONNECT, our members-only online discussion forum, linking you to the combined knowledge of thousands of grants management professionals
  • Receive invitations to complimentary PEAK community webinar events
  • Access a selection of resources from our expanding collection—including Principles for Peak Grantmaking case studies and action guides, research and trend reports, and the digital edition of PEAK Grantmaking Journal
  • Attend live webinar events at discounted fees
  • Attend chapter meetings at discounted fees to learn and connect with members in your area
  • Access to PEAK Affinity Groups, identity-based groups for networking
  • Register for PEAK’s annual convening and online courses at discounted rates

Eligibility

  • Individuals employed by grantmaking organizations
  • Individuals employed by funder networks, philanthropy-supporting organizations, and other philanthropy infrastructure groups
  • Professors and researchers at accredited universities or research institutions whose primary focus is philanthropy
  • Retired members
  • Previously eligible voting members who, because of a change in employment status (i.e., laid off but seeking a new position in the field), would otherwise be ineligible to remain members.
  • Consultants are not eligible for Individual Membership but may join as Consultant Members. Learn more here.

Membership FAQs

What is the term of Organization Membership?

PEAK Grantmaking Organization Members receive a 12-month membership, starting the month they join. Approximately 60 days prior to your membership expiration date, we send a renewal notice and invoice to the primary contact in our files.

Can we pay for Organization Membership in the form of a grant?

Our member organizations may elect to pay as a grant any portion of their dues that exceeds $750 (the fair market value of the direct services and goods received in return for membership). Consult your accountant or auditor for an answer specific to your organization.

How do I renew our Organization Membership?

We are now working fully remotely in light of the COVID-19 crisis and encourage you to renew your membership online. The primary contact for your membership may simply:

  1. Visit the login page
  2. Click “Renew your Organization Membership now”
  3. Select “Organization Membership” and then “Pay open order”

You may also pay by ACH. Please contact us at info@peakgrantmaking.org for our ACH information. If you can only pay by check, please mail to 1701 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 200, Washington, D.C. 20006. We will process checks as soon as we are able, but please know it may be delayed during this time.

How do I sign up additional staff members to access Organization Membership benefits?

There is no limit on the number of staff members who can take advantage of your Organization Membership. Sign up additional staff to benefit from your Organization Membership via this brief Staff Registration Form.