A PROJECT OF THE FORD FOUNDATION
Managing a Funders' Collaborative 
Companion Guide

Collaborating with other funders can help increase not just your reach as a grant maker, but also the scope and vision of your work. Successful collaboration, however, is rarely easy. This companion guide looks at this challenge and offers practical observations from grant makers on the tools and techniques they have used to work together effectively. It supplements GrantCraft's video Managing a Funders' Collaborative.
 



Print Companion Guide
 
Introduction
   
The Case: A Brief Overview 
     A first success 
   Replication: Bringing certification to the U.S.
   Scaling up: Considering a collaboration

Forming the Collaborative: Key Lessons
     Find grant makers with complementary interests
   Include partners of different sizes, scope, and focus
   Use task forces to keep everyone informed
   Reach out to others

 Sustaining Successful Collaboration: Key Lessons
     See the big picture
   Create trust and candor
   Accelerate the learning curve
   Promote cooperation with corporate players
   Expand the partnership 
   Coordinate funding 

Other Useful Hints
     Have fundable ideas
   Pay attention to leadership and other roles
   Provide for coordination

About the Outcome
     New organizations 
   A streamlined approach 
   Long-term commitments 
   The future of certification
 
A Final Note
 
MORE ON THIS SUBJECT
 
  Thomas Backer, Ph.D., Human Interaction Research Institute
Written for the Annie E. Casey Foundation in 2004, this report details eight key considerations to keep in mind before, during, and after embarking on a collaboration.  The piece is clear, results-focused, and methodical. 
[12 pages]

The DOs and DON'Ts of Working with Local Funders
Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers
This report shares advice from the field for national funders who seek effective partnerships with local philanthropies. This article is brief and straightforward, presenting the reflections of grant makers speaking from their own experience.
[PDF - 5 pages]