On Collaborative Funding
Posted on | May 1, 2009 | 2 Comments
Further to my thoughts on funders, I was delighted to learn several major grantmaking agencies and organizations from Alberta met this week to explore the possibility of working together in just such a way.
I assume collaboration and partnerships were the focus of discussion.
There are challenges of bridging across different missions, grantmaking strategies and methods, as well as levels of engagement and expertise. And that’s not even touching on practical aspects such as communications, timing, and accountability.
Yet there are many benefits of collaboration, including improved strategic thinking, elimination of duplication, decision-making, short-term relevance, and long-term sustainability.
Collaborative funding – in a variety of forms – is not a new concept.
In fact, since 2001, the American National Rural Funders Collaborative has worked as a …
“… collaborative philanthropic initiative organized to expand resources for families and communities in regions of persistent poverty.”
The missions of all 12 grantmaking organizations which comprise this collaborative, support this overarching statement.
Moving from a regional to a municipal context, the Calgary Homeless Foundation is an example of collaborative funding, but with a variety of sectors sitting around the table to make recommendations, work with, and support the efforts of local agencies dealing with homelessness issues. The Saskatoon Collaborative Funding Partnership is another example.
There also exist collaborative funding networks, information and funding portals, as well as collaborative councils.
At this point, I feel the need to state that collaboration does not necessarily mean sharing the same views or ceding jurisdiction or control.
Collaborative processes are about relationships.
Strong leadership and/or mediation that commands the respect of all stakeholders is vitally important to collaborative endeavours.
For thousands of community and not-for-profit organizations, funding matters.
And collaborative funding is one way in which agencies and organizations can better address public issues and opportunities.
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Tags: capacity > collaborative funding > community > funder > Leadership > opportunity > rural > rurban
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May 1st, 2009 @ 2:11 pm
Hey Jennifer,
I am totally impressed with the level of thought and work you have put into your blog. Have you forwarded your thoughts on the collaborative funding to CFNA by chance? I would encourage you to share your very valid thoughts with the association.
Well done!
M.
May 1st, 2009 @ 2:26 pm
@Monique – Thanks for the kind words … and yes, the network team is aware of my thoughts and keen interest in this initiative as it moves forward. Here’s to hoping progress is made … thanks for joining in.