This mock letter by Nancy Lublin on her blog confirms the difficulty of honest feedback:
Still, let's be honest: Our relationship is fraught. Most of us don't tell you how we truly feel about you. We don't say when we think you've made a bad decision, because in the hoity-toity world of big money (yours) and little not-for-profits (us), that would be impolite -- and, on my part, stupid. We fear losing your money.
The humor should not mask the reality of the problem. Our solution for big foundations: devise and implement clear and simple guidelines/best practices so that grantees report publicly and regularly about their work and budget. I don't share the author attitude toward necessary "overhead" if that includes the much too frequent "extensive travel". Communication/reporting should not be an option and it should be precisely defined, budgeted and monitored. They should also have a service in charge of dealing with complaints and whistle blowers so that they are seriously considered and not buried under the classic "let us not rock the boat" carpet. The feedback process cannot be limited to writing a question to Bill on his site. Voilà: unsollicited free advice.
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