What PEAK Grantmaking does

PEAK Grantmaking is a 501(c) nonprofit professional association founded in 1995 (originally as the Grants Managers Network, rebranded in 2021) and headquartered at 1701 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 200, Washington, D.C., operating fully remote. It serves a community of 8,500+ grants management professionals across 550+ contributing organizations, including private, corporate, community, and government grantmakers. Its core product is a tiered membership offering—Individual (complimentary), Organization (sliding-scale dues $500 to $15,000+ based on annual giving), and Consultant (staff-based dues $500 to $5,000)—delivered through a web portal (my.peakgrantmaking.org) and the members-only CONNECT online discussion forum.

The association's programming spans customized training (PEAK Elevate), the Grants Management 101 (GM101) virtual learning series, the Orneata Prawl Memorial Mentorship Program, an annual PEAK Grantmaking Journal, a biennial Grants Professionals Salary Report (drawing on 1,000+ organizations), a Grants Professionals Competency Model, and a 278+ item resource library. Member experience is anchored by 14 U.S. regional chapters and a peer group network of identity-based caucuses, affinity groups, and topical forums, with an annual convening rotating across U.S. cities (PEAK2024 Seattle, PEAK2025 New Orleans, PEAK2026 St. Louis, PEAK2027 Atlanta). PEAK's thought leadership centers on the "Principles for Peak Grantmaking" framework—Tie Practices to Values, Narrow the Power Gap, Drive Equity, Steward Responsively, and Learn, Share, Evolve.

PEAK generates revenue through membership dues (primary), grants from institutional foundations (MacArthur, Ford, Robert Wood Johnson, Barr), event sponsorships, donations, and customized training fees. Sustaining Membership contributions above standard dues and an optional membership-as-grant mechanism for Organization Members above $750 provide additional flexibility. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and supported by 350+ volunteers annually, holds Candid Platinum transparency and Charity Navigator 4-star ratings, and maintains 25+ documented strategic partnerships with sector organizations including Council on Foundations, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, Center for Effective Philanthropy, and Exponent Philanthropy.

Name

PEAK Grantmaking

Legal name

PEAK Grantmaking

Website

https://peakgrantmaking.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PEAK Grantmaking is a 501(c) nonprofit professional association serving 8,500+ grants management professionals across 550+ U.S. organizations, delivering tiered membership, an online community (CONNECT), customized training, and equity-centered grantmaking resources and frameworks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Professional Association Services — Grants Management

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)

Keywords

• Grants management
• Nonprofit membership association
• Philanthropy professional services
• Capacity building training
• Grantmaker community platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Organization Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from 550+ contributing organization members, with dues structured by total annual giving (from $500 for <$250K to $15,000 for >$200M). Includes optional sustaining membership contributions above standard dues.
2. Consultant Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from consultant members, structured by staff count (from $500 for sole proprietors to $5,000 for 26+ staff).
3. Grants and Donations: Grants from foundations and individual donations to support organizational programming and operations. Listed grants include support from MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Barr Foundation, and others.
4. Event Sponsorships: Sponsorship revenue from annual convenings (PEAK2024, PEAK2025, PEAK2026) with multiple sponsorship tiers. Major sponsors include foundations and philanthropy-serving organizations.
5. PEAK Elevate Customized Training: Customized training engagements for organizations and teams, priced based on annual giving, training hours, format, and attendee count. Exclusive to Organization and Consultant Members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

PEAK Grantmaking is a nonprofit professional membership association that serves grants management professionals working in philanthropy. The organization delivers tiered memberships (Organization, Consultant, and Individual), peer learning and networking through the CONNECT community, curated practice resources and standards, customized training and capacity-building engagements, and an annual national conference. Its work is aimed at strengthening grantmaking practice across foundations, corporate giving programs, government funders, and philanthropic intermediaries.

Product overview

PEAK Grantmaking is a membership-based professional association for grants management and grantmaking professionals in philanthropy, not a software product company. Its offering consists of a multi-tiered membership structure (Organization, Consultant, and Individual Memberships) that serves as a unified platform for community, learning, and professional development. The core member experience is delivered through CONNECT, an online discussion forum, and is complemented by a suite of programs and publications including PEAK Elevate (customized training workshops), the Grants Management 101 (GM101) learning series, the Orneata Prawl Memorial Mentorship Program, the annual PEAK Grantmaking Journal, the biennial Grants Professionals Salary Report, the Grants Professionals Competency Model, and the Principles for Peak Grantmaking framework (five principles for equitable grantmaking practice). Members also access 14 regional Chapters, Peer Groups (Caucuses, Affinity Groups, and Forums), a Resources Collection of 278+ tools and guides, and the Annual Convening conference. Membership dues fund the organization, with an optional Sustaining Membership for additional general operating support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PEAK Elevate: Customized training and intensive workshops for organizations and teams designed to advance impact, knowledge, and skills in operationalizing equity-centered grantmaking practices.
• PEAK's Orneata Prawl Memorial Mentorship Program
• Grants Management 101 (GM101)

Products and services

• Organization Membership Annual institutional membership for grantmaking organizations (foundations, corporate giving programs, government funders, intermediaries) that provides all staff access to CONNECT, the resource library, member rates on training and the annual conference, and recognition as an organization member.
• Consultant Membership Annual membership for independent consultants and consulting firms serving grantmaking organizations, providing community access, resources, and visibility within the grants management profession.
• Individual Membership Annual membership for individual grants management professionals not affiliated with an organization member, providing access to CONNECT, the resource library, and member benefits.
• Customized Training and Capacity Building Tailored onsite or virtual training engagements designed for grantmaking organizations seeking to upskill their grants management teams on specific practice areas.
• Annual National Conference PEAK's annual convening of grants management professionals featuring keynotes, breakout sessions, peer learning, and networking for the grants management community.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8,500 grants professionals served through membership community
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Center for Effective PhilanthropycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPEAK collaborates with CEP on shared commitments to effective philanthropy and data-driven grantmaking practices, supporting mutual goals around organizational learning and impact measurement.
• CHANGE PhilanthropycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership focused on deepening commitments to racial equity across the philanthropic sector through collaborative programming and knowledge sharing.
• Council on FoundationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership with the broad coalition of foundations to advance philanthropic practices and support the grants management profession.
• Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMutual partnership spanning years; collaborated on 2021 career series highlighting inclusive leadership and professional development from EPIP combined with impact and career journey content from PEAK. Both organizations strive to deepen commitments to racial equity.
• Equitable Evaluation InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPEAK became an EEF Practice Partner in 2022, deepening commitment to creating conditions for change and helping an equitable, loving philanthropic field emerge. Collaboration began in 2020 to introduce the Equitable Evaluation Framework to PEAK and its members.
• Exponent PhilanthropycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner serving similar constituencies of philanthropists and grants professionals, with shared commitment to effective practices.
• Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnthusiastic partners through shared commitment to leveraging philanthropic power for social progress. Collaboration emphasizes learning alongside peers with focus on change management and equitable practices for community thriving.
• National Committee for Responsive PhilanthropycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to advance responsive and effective philanthropy through research, advocacy, and knowledge sharing.
• Native Americans in PhilanthropycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership advancing Indigenous perspectives and practices in philanthropy through collaborative efforts.
• Philanthropy NorthwestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership including collaboration on 2021 Philanthropy Northwest annual conference where PEAK moderated plenary sessions and facilitated workshops on demographic data. Focus on cutting-edge expertise and research sharing.
• Technology Association of GrantmakerscoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership focused on technology practices in grantmaking, sharing knowledge and resources on grants management technology and systems.
• Trust-Based Philanthropy ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership advancing trust-based philanthropy practices, aligned with PEAK's equity-centered approach to grantmaking.
• United Philanthropy ForumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the network of regional philanthropy serving organizations to advance effective practices across the sector.
• TechSoupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing technology resources and solutions to support nonprofit and foundation technology needs.
• IdealwareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing technology guidance and resources for nonprofits and foundations.
• Tech ImpactminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership offering technology services and support for nonprofits and foundations.
• D5 CompassminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion in philanthropy through the D5 coalition.
• Open Road AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership addressing the need for flexibility and responsiveness in philanthropy, aligned with PEAK's Steward Responsively principle.
• Southern California GrantmakersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partnership serving grantmakers in Southern California with programming and resources.
• Viewpoint ConsultingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerKelly Brown, Founder and Principal Consultant, provides thought leadership and consulting, actively promoting PEAK's work to clients.
• Fresh PowerminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConsulting partner providing implementation support for PEAK's programs and initiatives.
• Radical Spark ConsultingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConsulting partner contributing to equity-centered work in philanthropy.
• Susan Hairston ConsultingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConsulting partner supporting PEAK's initiatives and programs.
• Funders Together to End HomelessnessminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIssue-focused partnership addressing homelessness through philanthropy.
• Grant AdvisorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing guidance and advisory services to foundations.
• Native Ways FederationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership advancing Indigenous practices and perspectives in philanthropy.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• BoardSource: Membership organization for nonprofit board members and governance leaders, offering training, resources, and peer networking. Adjacent peer serving a different layer of the foundation leadership ecosystem (board vs. grants staff) with comparable membership model.
• Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP): Largest professional association for fundraising professionals worldwide, offering certification, training, and chapters. Adjacent professional association with comparable membership model but serves fundraisers, not grantmakers — complementary rather than direct competition.
• Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP): Membership community for emerging leaders in philanthropy focused on equity, inclusion, and career development. Smaller-scale peer community with overlapping equity mission and partnership history with PEAK.

Direct peers

• National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP): Research and advocacy organization focused on responsive, equitable philanthropy with foundation members and grantmaker-grantee programs. Direct peer serving foundational members with comparable convening and content resources.
• Council on Foundations: National membership association for foundations and corporate giving programs providing resources, conferences, and policy advocacy. Directly comparable to PEAK as a membership and convening organization serving the same grantmaking community with overlapping content and sponsorships.
• Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO): Field-building organization supporting foundations and grantmakers with learning, resources, and a community of practice focused on effectiveness and equity. Comparable membership/community model and mission alignment with PEAK.
• Exponent Philanthropy: Membership association for small-staffed and lean foundations providing peer learning, publications, and convenings. Closely comparable member-supported model with similar peer networking, training, and content offerings targeting grantmaking professionals.
• United Philanthropy Forum: Network of regional and national philanthropy-serving organizations supporting infrastructure for grantmakers. Comparable member-supported model with overlap on chapters, regional peer engagement, and field convening.

Broad incumbents

• Independent Sector: National membership organization for nonprofits, foundations, and corporate giving programs focused on policy, advocacy, and research. Broader than PEAK but serves overlapping infrastructure and member audiences with similar convening and policy engagement.
• Candid (formerly Foundation Center + GuideStar): Major nonprofit and philanthropic data, research, and transparency organization (Seal of Transparency issuer). Overlaps with PEAK in serving foundations and grants management community but focuses on data, classification, and reporting rather than peer community.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/peakgrantmaking
• Xx.com/peakgrantmaking

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PEAK Grantmaking