Caucuses
Our caucuses provide a safe space where members can connect, speak freely, and be supported by one another. Each caucus is open to all members of the PEAK community who personally identify with the caucus’s identity. They will meet at least twice a year, with a goal to meet quarterly.
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) Caucus
A space where PEAK members who identify as AANHPI can connect, network, and support one another
- Irene Chansawang, Maddie’s Fund, Cochair
- Jina Song Freiberg, Katz Amsterdam Foundation, Cochair
- Anna Huynh, Baszucki Family Foundation, Cochair
- Elaine Mui, General Service Foundation, Cochair
Black Caucus
An affinity group for those identifying as Black, African American, or African
- Edberte Beauzile, Sabin Vaccine Institute, Cochair
- Jaynell Ellis, Elbridge Stuart Foundation, Cochair
- Gotahi Githuku, American Jewish World Service, Cochair
- Corey Murphy, Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Cochair
- Chandra Palmer, MacArthur Foundation, Cochair
- Shakila Woltz-Lous, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Cochair
Latinx Caucus
An affinity group for those identifying as Hispanic, Latino, Latina, or Latinx
- Rachel Gonzales, Walton Family Foundation, Cochair
- MariaClaudia Lora, Research to Prevent Blindness, Cochair
- Isabella Gargiulo, Argosy Foundation, Cochair
- Ceci Rivas-Gonzales, DeLuca Foundation, Cochair
LGBTQ+ Caucus
This exploratory pilot group is a safe space for those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, asexual, intersex and two-spirit (LGBTQ+)
- Kelsey Andersen, Arcus Foundation, Cochair
- Elizabeth Powley, MacArthur Foundation, Cochair
Affinity Groups
Affinity groups provide space for members to connect, network, build skillsets, and share effective, equitable grantmaking practices with those who share similar roles and work in similar funding institutions.
Intermediaries Affinity Group
An affinity group for grants management professionals, open to all PEAK members, who work at intermediaries
- Melissa Vassell, Borealis Philanthropy, Cochair
- Tashie Sloley, Climate Breakthrough, Cochair
Small Foundations Affinity Group
An affinity group, open to all PEAK members, for small staff foundations or smaller operating budget foundations
- Traci Johnson, The Pittsburgh Foundation, Cochair
- Diane Grossman, Sheltering Arms Foundation, Cochair
Grants Management Directors’ Circle (GMDC)
An affinity group for senior-level grants management leaders at high asset foundations, which provides a safe space for peer exchange and learning, supporting collaborative leadership and promoting more equitable practices in grants management. This facilitated group is supported by members of the Circle. Participation is exclusive to Organization Members with assets of at minimum $2 billion and an annual grants budget of at least $100 million.
Grants Management Peer Experience (GMPE)
An affinity group for the grants management teams of GMDC member organizations, which meets biannually to discuss topics chosen by its members. If you and your organization are eligible and interested in participating in the GMDC and GMPE, please contact Peer Group Specialist Rafael Torres at rafael@peakgrantmaking.org.
Other ways to connect
Along with our peer groups and chapters, we are exploring additional ways to bring members together:
Forums will be utilized for groups that form organically based on shared interests. Forums will be housed on CONNECT, and PEAK will support events on topics of interest as they arise from Forum conversations.
We have current Forums on:
- Research
- International grantmaking
- Corporate grantmaking
- Consulting
- AI for grants managers
Forums may transition to Affinity Groups or Caucuses based on the availability of volunteer leadership, growth in member interest, and alignment with PEAK’s strategic goals. Please sign up for Forums by contacting our team at info@peakgrantmaking.org.
Townhalls will be hosted by PEAK for additional groups, periodically, throughout the year, to engage members in ways that are meaningful to them.
If you have an idea for a Townhall or Forum, or would like to learn more about our peer groups, please contact Peer Group Specialist Rafael Torres at rafael@peakgrantmaking.org.