Perigee Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $14.3M (2024)
• Success Rate: ~5% for competitive RFPs
• Decision Time: Varies by program
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $3,000,000
• Geographic Focus: National (U.S.) with deeper focus in Washington State

Contact Details

Website: https://perigeefund.org
Phone: 858-353-3581
Email: jim@perigeefund.org
RFP Inquiries: rfp@perigeefund.org

Overview

Founded in 2018 by psychologist Lisa Mennet, PhD, Perigee Fund is a national philanthropic endeavor committed to advancing infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) and maternal mental health (MMH). Operating as a supporting organization to The Seattle Foundation with a 4/4 Star Charity Navigator rating, the fund distributes $14.3 million annually to end intergenerational trauma through the power of early relationships. They focus on systems change rather than direct service delivery, centering communities of color and families impacted by trauma. The fund operates through a mix of invitation-only grantmaking and occasional competitive RFPs, partnering with organizations that support the infant-caregiver relationship and increase capacity for all families to experience healthy connections.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Building Together: Up to $250,000 over 2 years for systems change initiatives (competitive RFP, completed)
• Families at the HEART: $425,000 per organization over 3 years for culturally rooted mental health models (EOI due August 15, 2025)
• Washington State Programs: GBI pilots, Indigenous Birth Justice Network, Parent Ambassador Program ($2.1M to UW Barnard Center)
• General Operating Support: $5,000 - $3,000,000 (median $84,000) by invitation only, rolling basis

Priority Areas

• Prenatal-to-age-3 mental health
• Maternal and perinatal mental health services
• Infant-caregiver relationship support
• Systems integration and workforce development
• Policy advocacy for paid family leave and affordable childcare
• Community well-being initiatives centered on BIPOC families

What They Don't Fund

• Direct service delivery (focus is on systems change and capacity building)
• Single service implementation without systems change component
• Washington state applicants for national RFPs (separate state funding available)

Governance and Leadership

Lisa Mennet, PhD - Founder & President, psychologist and IECMH leader, former clinical director at Cooper House Seattle

Becca Graves - Executive Director, former Managing Director at FSG

Senior Leadership: Elizabeth Myung Sook Krause (Director of Programs), Kim Gilsdorf (Senior Program Officer - workforce development), Marcy Miller (Senior Program Officer), Mariel Mendez and Payton Bordley (Program Officers)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Most funding is by invitation only. For occasional open RFPs, applications are submitted through the Perigee Partner Portal. Sign up for their distribution list at perigeefund.org to stay informed about opportunities. The fund proactively seeks organizations positioned to advance prenatal-age 3 priorities equitably.

Getting on Their Radar

Since most grants are invitation-based, visibility in the prenatal-to-3 mental health field is crucial. Demonstrate alignment with their Equity North Star through visible work centering BIPOC families and systems change. Subscribe to their distribution list and engage with their published materials and funded initiatives.

Decision Timeline

Varies by program. Invited proposals reviewed on rolling basis. RFP timelines specified in each announcement. External Review Committee evaluates competitive proposals.

Success Rates

~5% for competitive RFPs (Maternal Mental Health Equity Fund: 7 awards from 150 applications). Annual grants: 66 (2024)

Reapplication Policy

No publicly stated policy. Contact rfp@perigeefund.org for clarification.

Application Success Factors

Critical elements for success:

• Systems change focus - Must demonstrate how work will shift policy, financing, workforce, and practice (not direct services)
• Family voice central - Proposals must be "clearly shaped and driven by voices of families" impacted by trauma
• BIPOC leadership - Demonstrate commitment to elevating BIPOC leadership and addressing racial/economic/gender injustice
• Multi-sector collaboration - Building Together required 5+ partners; comprehensive partnerships strongly preferred
• Use their language: "infant-caregiver relationship," "systems change," "culturally rooted," "power building," "lived experience"
• Recent funded examples: Birth Justice Collaborative (MN), EleVATE Collaborative (MO), Georgia Infant-Toddler Coalition - all feature BIPOC-led coalitions integrating cultural healing with systems change

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Systems change is mandatory - No direct service funding; must demonstrate policy/practice/financing shifts
• Family voices must drive the work - Co-design and shared decision-making with families experiencing trauma required
• Build coalitions before applying - Single organizations rarely funded; multi-sector partnerships essential
• Focus on invitation pathway - With most grants by invitation, building visibility in the field is crucial
• RFPs are extremely competitive - ~5% success rate requires exceptional proposals with clear family leadership
• Equity throughout - Generic statements insufficient; show specific strategies for BIPOC leadership and dismantling harmful systems
• Washington organizations - Excluded from national RFPs but eligible for separate state-specific funding

References

1. Perigee Fund Official Website - https://perigeefund.org (Accessed February 24, 2026)
2. Perigee Fund "How We Fund" - https://perigeefund.org/how-we-fund/
3. Perigee Fund "Equity North Star" - https://perigeefund.org/about-perigee/equity-north-star/
4. "Meet the Recipients of our 'Building Together' Grant" - https://perigeefund.org/uncategorized/meet-the-recipients-of-our-building-together-grant/
5. Charity Navigator Rating - https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/830847498
6. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/830847498
7. Seattle Foundation Spotlight - https://www.seattlefoundation.org/spotlighting-perigee-fund-the-importance-of-infant-and-maternal-mental-health/
8. Grantmakers In Health Profile - https://www.gih.org/grantmaker-focus/perigee-fund/
9. Early Childhood Funders Collaborative Member Profile - https://ecfunders.org/member/perigee-fund/
10. Instrumentl 990 Report - https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/perigee-fund