The survey reveals key demographics and insights from employees in private foundations, highlighting a workforce that is predominantly women and people of color, yet grappling with issues of hierarchy and limited professional development. Respondents express pride in their work, yet identify significant shortcomings in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices, particularly concerning the experiences of people of color and LGBTQ practitioners. The findings underscore a disconnect between foundation policies and the lived experiences of staff, prompting urgent questions about the future of philanthropy and internal institutional culture.

1. 1
Findings from EPIP’s Sector Experience Survey

2. 2
About The Sample
● 55% at private foundations
● 46% People of Color
● 87% women
● 43% under 30
● 54% midlevel; 37% entry-level

3. 3
Most respondents are proud to tell
people where they work.
HOWEVER...

4. 4
Unclear Futures
“There's no such thing as professional development
or internal advancement at my institution. The
hierarchy is king, always. Our leadership structure
more closely resembles a bank than a nonprofit.”

5. 5
Limited Influence

6. 6
Unseen and Underutilized
POSITIVE CORRELATIONS BETWEEN POSITION SENIORITY IN INSTITUTION HIERARCHY AND
AGREEMENT WITH SURVEY ITEMS
Associate Mid-level Senior
***
10%
(n=42)
41%
(n=61)
100%
(n=10)
***
23%
(n=40)
53%
(n=62)
90%
(n=10)
***
12%
(n=42)
24%
(n=62)
25%
(n=8)
***
0%
(n=42)
8%
(n=62)
56%
(n=8)
***
29%
(n=42)
55%
(n=62)
80%
(n=10)
*
45%
(n=42)
60%
(n=60)
80%
(n=10)

7. 7

8. 8
Low Ratings for DEI
INSTITUTIONAL CULTURE
74%
58%
49%
28%
27%
26%
“The organization as a
whole talks about D&I,
but I would bet if you
talked to people of color
in my organization they
would say that a lot of the
individual level
interaction is pretty tone
deaf.”

9. 9
Poor Performance on Inclusion

10. 10
Data by Race
DIFFERENCES IN RESPONSES BETWEEN WHITE GRANTMAKING STAFF AND
GRANTMAKING STAFF OF COLOR (POC)
POC White
*
30%
(n=30)
63%
(n=38)
*
24%
(n=30)
52%
(n=41)
*
17%
(n=30)
5%
(n=40)
*
10%
(n=30)
0%
(n=40)

11. 11
LGBTQ Practitioners Express Less
Belonging
SURVEY ITEMS FOR WHICH LGBTQ PRACTITIONERS RESPOND DIFFERENTLY
THAN NON-LGBTQ PEERS1
LGBTQ Not LGBTQ
*
26%
(n=23)
10%
(n=84)
*
17%
(n=23)
48%
(n=83)
*
17%
(n=23)
38%
(n=82)
*
36%
(n=22)
63%
(n=84)
*
39%
(n=23)
54%
(n=84)

12. 12
Grantmaking Staff Less Satisfied with
DEI Efforts
“Though we have an explicit equity lens we do not talk
about equity issues, such as race and identity, enough
within the organization. It is sometimes assumed by many
that we all embody the same values but in the wake of
incidents over the last few years, we have had internal
situations that clearly indicate we do not all embody the
equity lens and frame.”

13. 13
Foundations Seen as Out of Touch

14. 14

15. 15
Is Philanthropy Relevant?

16. 16
On The Way Out

17. 17

18. 18
Questions Going Forward
● Where are foundations struggling
and why?
● What specific practices and
behaviors are alienating colleagues?
● How can institutions strengthen
feedback loops and create more
leadership opportunities?