We measure our effectiveness as a trust-based funder through a Grantee Perception Survey to understand how our grantee partners perceive our processes and approach to partnership. We regularly identify and share how we’re looking to improve and where we’re making changes.
2025 Grantee Perception Survey
Key Findings & Next Steps
BACKGROUND
In early 2026, FCH once again partnered with Karen Horsch, an external evaluator, to gather feedback from our grantee partners through our fourth Grantee Perception Survey. Survey recipients held grants with funded periods primarily between 2023 and 2025. Overall, 34 organizations were included in survey outreach, representing $2.3 million in grant funds, and 25 individuals responded for a 69% response rate.
This survey remains essential to our commitment to trust-based philanthropy, guiding us as we continue to improve our processes and cultivate mutually accountable relationships with our grantee partners.
Key Findings
As in past years, our grantee partners continued to express a positive perception of FCH. Results indicate that FCH is perceived as an excellent partner, with respectful and supportive processes, helpful non-grant support, and valuable communication.
FCH staff continue to foster trusting, responsive relationships with grantee partners
- Over 85% of survey respondents expressed positive views of their relationship with FCH across all dimensions, with the highest proportion indicating they “strongly agreed” that FCH staff are responsive.
- About 88% of respondents reported feeling comfortable approaching FCH staff with concerns and challenges.
- Grantees with longer relationships or multi-year grants were more likely to “strongly agree” that FCH staff demonstrate trust, candor, respect, and responsiveness.
FCH grant processes are easy and have become less burdensome over time
- 75% or more of respondents rated meetings and correspondence with FCH as “very easy,” consistent with prior surveys.
- Grantees who have been funded for five or more years reported that FCH’s changes to reporting requirements have reduced time spent on reports and improved the quality of information collected.
- Long-standing grantees and recipients of larger grants were more likely to find correspondence and proposal development “very easy” compared to newer or smaller-grant grantees.
Non-grant support is valued—and grantees want more of it
- Grantees most frequently received support through meaningful introductions to peer organizations, potential funders, consultants, or coalitions—and they rated this support highly.
- 71% of respondents reported participating in FCH’s Nonprofit Community of Practice – up from 2023.
- Nearly three-quarters of respondents indicated that help pursuing funding from other sources would be beneficial, consistently finding across surveys. A high proportion also expressed interest in educational opportunities from content experts.
FCH’s communications are seen as effective and community-focused
- Almost all respondents agreed that FCH effectively engages in community matters, that FCH communications offer insight into the Foundation’s work, and that FCH communicates appropriately about issues impacting rural towns in its service area.
- When asked about FCH’s community engagement priorities, state-level advocacy was the most frequently cited area – consistent with findings from 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Grantees want greater clarity on FCH’s grantmaking decisions and equity commitments
- Only 17% of respondents indicated they understand FCH’s funding criteria and decision-making process “very well,” and about half indicated they understand it “somewhat well.” Newer grantees and those with smaller grants were the most likely to feel uncertain.
- About half of respondents (48%) felt that FCH is fulfilling its commitment to equity in grantmaking; a notable share indicated they were unsure – especially newer grantees and those receiving smaller grants.
- Few grantees reported seeking FCH support with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at this time. Those who are interested are most focused on methods to incorporate community feedback in organizational practices and board composition.
OUR NEXT STEPS
Enhancing Transparency in Grant Decision-Making
- Add a “How We Decide” section to each grant program page on our website, explaining what FCH weighs when reviewing proposals and what makes a strong application.
- Move the capacity building vs. program funding distinction to the top of the Capacity Building Grant Program page – not buried in an FAQ accordion.
- Publish concrete examples of our equity commitments in grantmaking, such as the share of grants going to historically underinvested communities and changes made to reduce barriers for smaller organizations.
Expanding Non-Grant Support: Funding Assistance and Learning Opportunities
- Explore ways to support grantee partners with fund development strategy and planning—helping organizations build stronger, more diversified funding bases over time rather than supporting individual grant applications.
- Offer additional learning opportunities in 2026 featuring content experts, continuing to expand Know How and Gather programming through the Nonprofit Community of Practice.
Strengthening State-Level Advocacy
- Re-engage grantee partners on their specific policy priorities and develop targeted advocacy tactics sized to FCH’s capacity as a small organization.
- Continue publishing From Here briefs and actively share them with grantee partners via email and social media as tools for their own advocacy work.
Building Awareness of the From Here Series
- Proactively sharing each new brief with grantee partners at publication
- Explore how the series can be integrated into convenings and learning opportunities with grantee partners so that familiarity grows organically through our relationships.