Grantees were asked to provide any suggestions for how the Foundation could improve. These suggestions were then categorized by CEP and grouped into the topics below. 

GRANTMAKING (48%)

• Size of Funding (N=5)
  • "Some foundations increase the amounts of their grants incrementally over time as a program grows, expands, and demonstrates stability. We are grateful for continuing funding from the Foundation but wonder if it might be possible to consider increasing the maximum amount that we may apply for."
  • "The foundation could have more impact if their grant sizes were increased."
  • "I could always use more money."
     
• Funding Decisions (N=3)
  • "Consider funding inner city Catholic schools in a deeper way."
  • "Provide some funding to help with the evaluation connected to the funded project."
  • "Reimplementation of their interest in support at the secondary level."
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• Multi-Year Funding (N=2)
  • "For us it would be a lengthier commitment (3 years at a certain level) so that we knew that we were guaranteed funding for a certain period."
  • "Perhaps a discussion of funding that can be recurring."

GRANTEE RESOURCES (24%)

• "It would be helpful to receive some policy recommendations or encouragement around best practice in the industry."
• "Perhaps conducting site visits."
• "If there were capacity,  conduct site visits twice a year."
• "We would greatly appreciate any introductions Foundation staff could make to other funders in Oakland so that we can continue to build a sustainable model to continue our work."
• "Two things. One is to do more strategic convening that might influence policy even if, and maybe especially if, it is very localized policy."

COMMUNICATION TO GRANTEES (14%)

• "It would be helpful for the Foundation to post on its web site examples of estimated time frames for working with new applicants. In addition, it would be helpful to know if an organization is successful in receiving philanthropic funding, does the commitment from the foundation to the organization extend beyond one year. If yes, does the foundation have any estimated funding timelines? Knowing this type of information would be enormously helpful to the organization’s planning process."
• "I would love to better understand the giving pathway - how does a partner advance towards larger grants?"
• "It would be better to understand how their various initiatives relate. I read their strategic plan and yet not clear how the plan has been operationalized."

OTHER (14%)

• "The needs in Oakland for student/youth opportunities are acute.  The foundation could be more kid/student centered.  They also have a very full and robust headquarters; those overhead costs are not dollars going to programs, schools and kids."
• "Together, we should [do more evaluation of programs].  Pulling out from sites ... is sometimes an unfortunate necessity."
• "I suspect the Foundation gets some grief from its outspoken critiques of OUSD. I think they have played it well but it is clearly a place of struggle that requires regular attention."