A recent news story has raised fresh concerns in the philanthropic community about how public data can be used — and potentially misused — in today’s polarized political environment. In particular, information drawn from publicly available grant databases has been cited in efforts to spotlight funders or grantees whose support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives may be targeted by political actors.
This moment offers an important opportunity for us to reflect on how Meyer approaches data transparency, privacy, and the values that guide our decisions.
We believe that transparency is a key part of building trust and accountability in philanthropy. For years, we have shared data about our awarded grants with Candid, a widely respected organization that helps improve the flow of information in the nonprofit sector. The data we share includes the names of grantee organizations, the purposes of grants, and the amount awarded — information that supports research, collaboration, and public understanding of our work. Candid has also responded to share more on its own practices and policies.
That said, we are also mindful of the risks that can emerge when even well-intentioned transparency intersects with shifting political agendas. Not all Meyer grants are publicly disclosed through Candid. Our internal process includes the option for staff to mark a grant so it will not appear in our public-facing reports or promotional materials. However, all grants, whether publicized or not, are ultimately reported in our IRS Form 990-PF filings and become part of the public record once our tax returns are submitted.
Beyond grants data, Meyer also handles a wide range of information from our grantees and applicants — financial statements, narrative responses, organizational documents — that is treated with the highest level of care and confidentiality. This data is considered private and proprietary unless it is already part of the public record. We do not share it unless doing so is fully aligned with our privacy policy and, where necessary, with the explicit consent of the applicant.
In practical terms, that means Meyer employees, trustees, and contractors may not transmit constituent data outside the organization unless authorized, nor may they store such data on personal devices or non-Meyer-managed cloud services. These protections aren’t just about compliance — they are about respect. Respect for the organizations we partner with, and for the often sensitive work they undertake in service to communities.
As this conversation continues to evolve within the philanthropic sector, we remain committed to transparency rooted in ethics, caution and care. We will continue to evaluate our practices, listen to our partners, and stay responsive to the broader landscape. If you have questions about Meyer’s data policy, we encourage you to reach out to our Grants Management team at grantops [at] mmt.org.
In challenging times, the decisions we make about how we share and protect data are a reflection of our values. We are committed to making those decisions thoughtfully and in partnership with the communities we serve.
— Corey