Relationship Building Between Nonprofits and Funders: How do we partner better together?

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1 Relationship Building Between Nonprofits and Funders: How do we partner better together? 3 Themes: o Increased transparency o Valuing general operating & multi year support o Redefine & reward collaboration Relationship building throughout year Structural work around measurable outcome to extent possible Asset based collaboration Clear communication o Working together funders & agencies. When there are changes, making sure the impact is understood on both ends o Invite foundations to visit, give a tour, get to know nonprofits better o Join with other nonprofits t collaborate in outreach/connections with foundations o Collaborate with fellow providers with grant requests o Have roundtable conversations together like we have today o Put together mini nonprofit and foundation sessions more often then every other year I a large scale o More smaller, more connection o Really show funders the outcomes vs only putting it in writing more visual/hands on/direct Can be challenging time, # of staff, etc o Funders knowing agencies well enough that they approach agency vs the other way around o Funders assist with partnership/collaborations because they see the connections If you treat the relationship as a transaction then YOU will be treated as a transaction Not about the money! About furthering the community & common good Full transparency on both sides Important to honor the relationship as much as what comes out of the relationship programs, services, etc

2 Build a funder/donor relationship, understand the funders mission Hit them in the heart o Testimonials o Mission statement is clear o Beyond the money (board, project professional support ) 2 way communication ( marriage not one night stand) Problem: less one on one relationships Solution: more opportunities to network & collaborate Problem: diminishing financial contributions Solution: finding other ways to partner, e.g. training, volunteers, capacity building, in kind, board members. Foundations helping in other ways than money Move away from personal relationships, help by networking opportunities with funders & nonprofits (mingle without commitment) Time constraints & staff limitations Mutual respect o Transparency o Understanding each others position o Being clear & open about contending interests o Recognize inequality Collaborate work o Convening grantees Process note: government needs to be at the table also, major player Transparency o Realistic expectations o Shared values defined/aligned o Define metrics/evaluation method Build relationships o Partnership for success at all levels/all stakeholders Move beyond the transaction o Become transformational

3 A funder says: if you could answer the questions presented in this world café, nonprofits you are ahead of the game! Funders and nonprofits are part of a partnership nonprofits should look to what the funders want to accomplish & make a case that they can help Funders: don t always require something new, something big Communication o Honesty & transparency o Genuine human o Efficient Broader collaboration o Beyond the grant High tech, high touch More opportunities for face to face exchange between nonprofits & funders, i.e. world café Understand the funder o Clarity o Transparency & accountability in both directions Story & data, head & heart o The conversation about this goes both directions Grow an open & honest relationship (yup, it goes both directions) Funders want: o Be transparent o Be clear positives/negatives o Qualify/quantify the value you bring to the table (your expertise) o What about the client? o Define your expectations o Don t be so fearful collaborate with other nonprofits International o Develop transformational partnerships o All stakeholders involved Alignment multiple levels Scalability = initiatives Learn from past research and work Learning organization how can you do better? Funder needs to know changing direction is still OK!

4 Access community needs jointly for real strategic impact Engage foundations, corporations, government (all funders) on personal basis first, dialog first o i.e. individual/donor model (build relationship before ask) Transparency & honesty by/from the funder & fundees (stop putting lipstick on the pig) Value qualify/quantify what you bring to the table Build relationships o Understand resource limitations both ways o Trust we can accomplish more together! o Funder, nonprofit, government, businesses, individuals, community voice who can influence what, where, and when BEST. No silos Funders want you to tell them what positives and negatives be transparent please! Who is the client? Thought leadership: policy, systems, environmental Why are we NOT partners? Shared values defined philanthropic money vs community relations/marketing money Community needs/capacity Closing the loop with feedback Increased communication Still personal Think about reasonable expectations on both sides of the interaction & expectations differ Transparency o About guidelines/priorities o Progress toward intended outcomes Greater collaboration between similar foundations, between nonprofits and cross sector Outcome wiki Funders involve nonprofits in outcome development, funders don t prescribe outcomes which ultimately create compliance vs true outcomes Nonprofits are the conduit of change, channeling funds, resources, & relationships for change Nonprofits want more responsive foundations, but for small foundations this can best happen with the staff, research, & network support from their larger foundation peers.

5 Moving to digital communication is not fully helpful to nonprofits, and removes the human contact of philanthropy to the detriment of the sector. National: o Cross multiple geographic locations o Proposals that cross state lines o Include volunteerism o Make them look good! o Align leaders of funders and nonprofits, if opportunity Do risk assessment at funding stage Hot Topics Collaboration and communication Transparency (both ways) Move beyond the transaction (look for other ways to partner)