Grantees, tell us how we’re doing!

“Ultimately, we build trust when we listen and act on what we hear.” -Pia Infante, Trust Based Philanthropy Project 

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Listening to our grant partners is a fundamental part of our work at Headwaters. Trust-Based Philanthropy asks funders to recognize the expertise of the organizations and people closest to the issues, build relationships rooted in trust, and use what we learn to change how we work.

We know we won’t always get it right, and hearing honestly from our partners helps us understand what’s working, what isn’t, and what we need to change.

This year, we’re once again partnering with the Center for Effective Philanthropy to conduct its Grantee Perception Report, an anonymous and confidential survey that gives grant partners an opportunity to tell us how we’re doing.

We last conducted the survey in 2022. Since then, a lot has changed at Headwaters. We’ve transitioned to a new strategic framework, introduced new funding programs, and made changes to some of our grantmaking processes. We’re particularly interested in hearing how those changes are working for our grant partners, where things feel clearer or easier, and where there’s still room for improvement.

We know the power dynamics inherent in philanthropy can make it difficult for grant partners to give funders candid feedback. Having the Center for Effective Philanthropy administer the survey independently allows responses to remain anonymous and confidential and gives us a clearer picture of our partners’ experiences.

If you received a grant from Headwaters Foundation in 2025 or 2026, you’ll receive an email from the Center for Effective Philanthropy on October 20 with a link to participate. The survey will be open through November 13.

Please respond, and do so boldly! We really want to hear what you think.

The survey will ask about your experience with Headwaters, including:

• Our impact on your organization, community, and field
• How well we understand your organization and the context in which you work
• Your interactions and communications with our team
• Our funding programs and grantmaking processes
• Our application and reporting requirements
• Support you’ve received beyond your grant
• Our commitment to strong, trusting relationships with grant partners

We’ll use what we learn to identify where we’re doing well and where we need to make changes. We’ll also share the findings publicly, along with what we plan to do in response.

Thank you for taking the time to tell us what you think. Your feedback helps us understand whether the way we work reflects the kind of funder we want to be and, more importantly, the kind of partner our grant partners need us to be.