Blue Cross and Blue Shield

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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
Foundation How to Effectively Connect with
Grantmakers October 9, 2008 Kellan Chapin,
Program Manager
An independent licensee of the Blue Cross and
Blue Shield Association. Blue Cross and Blue
Shield of North Carolina Foundation is a licensed
affiliate of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North
Carolina. Registered Mark of the Blue Cross and
Blue Shield Association.
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Objectives

• 1) Learn how to effectively connect with
  grantmakers
• 2) Better understand what is important to
  grantmakers
• 3) Learn why partnerships are essential to
  sustainability  

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How to connect with a grantmaker

• Do your homework
• Call the program manager/officer
• Listen to and act upon their advice
• Submit only those projects that align with the
  grantmakers priorities
• Cultivate the relationship

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Whats Important to Grantmakers?
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outcome
output
milestones
result
measurable
differences
objective
goal
impact
short-term change
long-term change
achievements
indicator
benchmark
input
benefits
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Three Important Questions for Nonprofits

• How do you define success meaning results from
  your services?
• How do you know for sure when success has been
  achieved?
• Half way through your program, how do you know
  that you have enough time and money left to get
  to the success you have defined?

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Funder vs. Investor

• The Funder
• Uses multiple criteria to select grants may use
  a point system
• Believes fairness means distance from applicants
• Considers decisions the high point of their work
• Monitors for grant compliance

• The Investor
• Answers 3 questions of each opportunity
• What are we buying?
• What are the chances well get it?
• Is this the best possible use of money?
• Believes fairness means appropriate engagement to
  fully understand
• Considers initial investment only the starting
  point
• Asks How can I help?

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Investment Approach

• Targets align with results sought by the focus
  area
• Clearly defined, verifiable health gains
• Alignment between organizations mission and core
  know how
• Prior achievements in most relevant work is
  strong
• Key individuals have necessary attributes and
  capabilities
• Organization is financially sound based on most
  recent audit
• Process is clear in terms of intensity/duration
  to make a difference
• Milestones are clear and presumed predictors of
  success
• Commitment from key partners
• Cost for human gains is strong compared to
  similar opportunities
• Replicability

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Why are partnerships essential to sustainability?
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What is sustainability? What does it mean to your
organization?
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What is Sustainability?

• In a general sense, it is the capacity to
  maintain a certain process or state indefinitely.
  
• How does this translate to grantmakers?
• Do you have the right partners at the table?
• Do you have multiple investors/revenue streams?
• What will happen to your project or staff after
  the grant is complete?
• Do you have the right people (sparkplugs) doing
  the work?

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Partnerships help achieve sustainability

• Community problems community solutions
• Improved health gains
• Nonprofits operate in cost-constrained
  environments (time, talent and money)
• Partnerships help leverage limited resources
• Grantmakers invest in collaborations, not silos

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Thank you!www.bcbsncfoundation.org