🤲Strategic Philanthropy Unit 7 – Collaboration and Partnership

What's This Unit About?

• Focuses on the importance of collaboration and partnership in strategic philanthropy to maximize impact and drive systemic change
• Explores various types of partnerships nonprofits can engage in, such as public-private partnerships, collective impact initiatives, and funder collaboratives
• Provides a step-by-step guide on how to build effective collaborations, from identifying potential partners to establishing shared goals and metrics
• Discusses common challenges and pitfalls in collaborative work, such as power imbalances, conflicting priorities, and lack of trust
• Presents real-world examples and case studies of successful collaborations in the nonprofit sector (Strive Partnership in Cincinnati, the Harlem Children's Zone)
• Equips students with a toolkit of strategies, frameworks, and best practices for initiating and managing collaborations in their philanthropic work

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Collaboration: The process of working together with other organizations or sectors to achieve a common goal or address a complex social issue
• Partnership: A formal arrangement between two or more organizations to cooperate and share resources, risks, and rewards in pursuit of mutual objectives
• Collective impact: A structured approach to collaboration that involves a centralized infrastructure, dedicated staff, and a common agenda among cross-sector actors
• Backbone organization: The entity providing support and coordination for the collaboration, often responsible for convening partners, facilitating communication, and managing data and reporting
• Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): A formal agreement outlining the roles, responsibilities, and commitments of each partner in a collaboration
• Stakeholder engagement: The process of identifying and involving individuals or groups who are affected by or have an interest in the collaboration's work
• Shared measurement: The use of a common set of indicators and metrics to track progress and evaluate the collaboration's impact

Why Collaboration Matters in Philanthropy

• Addresses complex, systemic issues (poverty, education inequity) that no single organization can solve alone
• Leverages diverse perspectives, expertise, and resources from multiple sectors and stakeholders
• Avoids duplication of efforts and maximizes the efficient use of limited philanthropic resources
• Enables greater scale and sustainability of impact by aligning efforts and creating a shared vision for change
• Fosters innovation and learning by encouraging the exchange of ideas and best practices among partners
• Builds trust and social capital among organizations and communities, laying the groundwork for future collaboration
• Enhances the legitimacy and credibility of philanthropic initiatives by engaging a broad range of stakeholders

Types of Partnerships in the Nonprofit World

• Public-private partnerships: Collaborations between nonprofit organizations and government agencies or businesses to deliver services or address social issues
• Funder collaboratives: Groups of foundations or donors that pool resources and align strategies to support a common cause or initiative
• Collective impact initiatives: Cross-sector collaborations that follow a structured approach to solving a specific social problem (Strive Partnership in Cincinnati)
• Capacity-building partnerships: Collaborations aimed at strengthening the organizational capacity and effectiveness of nonprofit partners (pro bono consulting, shared back-office services)
• Advocacy coalitions: Alliances of nonprofits, grassroots groups, and other stakeholders that work together to influence public policy and drive systemic change
• Place-based collaborations: Partnerships focused on improving outcomes for a specific geographic area or community (Harlem Children's Zone)
• International partnerships: Collaborations between nonprofits, foundations, and NGOs across borders to address global challenges (climate change, public health)

Building Effective Collaborations: Steps and Strategies

• Identify potential partners: Conduct a stakeholder mapping exercise to identify organizations or sectors with shared interests, complementary strengths, and resources
• Establish a shared vision and goals: Engage partners in a collaborative process to define the purpose, objectives, and desired outcomes of the collaboration
  • Use facilitated discussions, workshops, or strategic planning sessions to build consensus and alignment
  • Develop a clear, compelling vision statement that articulates the collaboration's aspirations and values
• Develop a governance structure: Determine how decisions will be made, roles and responsibilities assigned, and conflicts resolved
  • Consider forming a steering committee, working groups, or advisory boards to guide the collaboration
  • Establish clear lines of communication and accountability among partners
• Create a memorandum of understanding (MOU): Formalize the partnership by outlining each partner's commitments, expectations, and contributions
• Foster trust and relationship-building: Invest time in building personal connections, understanding each other's motivations, and establishing a culture of openness and mutual respect
  • Organize regular check-ins, retreats, or social events to strengthen relationships and maintain momentum
• Develop a shared measurement system: Agree on a common set of indicators and metrics to track progress, evaluate impact, and learn from the collaboration's work
• Communicate and celebrate successes: Regularly share updates, milestones, and achievements with partners, funders, and other stakeholders to maintain engagement and motivation

Challenges and Pitfalls to Watch Out For

• Power imbalances: Unequal distribution of resources, influence, or decision-making authority among partners can lead to tension and mistrust
• Conflicting priorities or timelines: Partners may have different organizational mandates, funding cycles, or strategic plans that make alignment difficult
• Lack of clarity on roles and responsibilities: Ambiguity about each partner's contributions and expectations can result in duplication, gaps, or miscommunication
• Inadequate resources or capacity: Collaborations often require significant time, staff, and financial investments that can strain partners' limited resources
• Resistance to change or loss of autonomy: Some partners may be hesitant to adapt their practices or cede control to the collaboration
• Difficulty measuring and attributing impact: Complex social issues and multiple contributing factors can make it challenging to isolate the collaboration's specific impact
• Sustaining momentum and engagement: Collaborations can lose steam over time due to staff turnover, shifting priorities, or lack of tangible progress

Real-World Examples and Case Studies

• Strive Partnership in Cincinnati: A collective impact initiative that brought together schools, nonprofits, businesses, and civic leaders to improve education outcomes for children
  • Developed a shared roadmap for change and a common set of metrics to track progress
  • Achieved significant gains in kindergarten readiness, high school graduation rates, and college enrollment
• Harlem Children's Zone: A place-based collaboration that provides a comprehensive range of services and support to children and families in a 97-block area of New York City
  • Integrates education, health, social services, and community-building programs to create a pipeline of opportunity
  • Has become a model for other place-based initiatives across the country
• The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria: An international partnership that mobilizes and invests resources to support programs in more than 100 countries
  • Brings together governments, civil society, the private sector, and affected communities to accelerate the end of these epidemics
  • Has saved over 32 million lives and reduced deaths from these diseases by more than half since 2002

Putting It All Together: Your Collaboration Toolkit

• Stakeholder mapping template: A tool to identify and prioritize potential partners based on their interests, influence, and resources
• Partnership assessment checklist: A set of questions to evaluate the readiness, compatibility, and potential risks of a partnership
• Sample memorandum of understanding (MOU): A template outlining the key components and clauses to include in a partnership agreement
• Collaboration charter template: A document that captures the collaboration's vision, goals, governance structure, and operating principles
• Shared measurement framework: A guide to developing a common set of indicators and metrics to track the collaboration's progress and impact
• Meeting facilitation guide: Tips and techniques for designing and facilitating effective meetings that foster trust, dialogue, and decision-making
• Conflict resolution framework: A step-by-step process for addressing and resolving conflicts or disagreements among partners
• Communication plan template: A tool to map out the collaboration's key messages, audiences, channels, and frequency of communication