Building Community Through Effective Relationships

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Community Conversations Series
Generously supported by
Opportunities Waterloo Regions Funders and
Sponsors
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Building Capacity Granting for Impact
A presentation by Tracey Robertson Project
Leader, Senior Research Analyst for Ontario
Trillium Foundation. Funders Conversation Septemb
er 27,2005
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Keep listening to grantees and incorporate
learnings into practice-- OTF grantee
Why this project?

• Six years of granting experience to build on
• Broad and generic funder that works with others
• Work from within communities

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Building CapacityGranting for Impact
Our Project

• Reflecting, listening and learning
• What is organizational capacity?
• What makes organizations strong?
• Are we building on our own successes?
• Are we making an impact?
• Are we strengthening communities

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What we heard

• Engage and establish a relationship
• Review request in a broader context
• Opportunity for self- assessments
• Be a leader in knowledge management
• Continuous and flexible support
• On-going education and training

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Building CapacityGranting for Impact
Definition of Organizational Capacity Building
A process that strengthens four interrelated
pillars the relevance, responsiveness,
effectiveness and resilience of organizations.
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What is Capacity Building?
When organizations build their own capacity, they
help build healthy and vibrant communities
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Organizational Capacity Building The Four Pillars
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Organizational Capacity Building The Four Pillars
Relevance Community Realities History Diversity
Physical Environment Issues/Needs Assets/Capaci
ties Societal Norms/Values Socio-economic Mix
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Organizational Capacity Building The Four Pillars
Effectiveness Organizational Structure Technology
Evaluation Board Governance Communication
Marketing Programs Services Management
Systems Resource Management
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Organizational Capacity Building The Four Pillars
Resilience Organizational Culture Creative Embr
aces Change Strategic Thinking Continuous
Learning Strength-based Thinking Ongoing
Planning Financial Vibrancy Fosters
Leadership Adaptive Flexible
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Organizational Capacity Building The Four Pillars
Responsiveness Community Relationships Partners
hip Collaboration Inclusiveness Shared
Vision Ongoing Consultation Civic Engagement
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What we Learned

• Organizational capacity building does not just
  happen
• Organizational growth is only one success factor
• Organizational culture is key
• Need for flexible and organization-specific
  approaches

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Building CapacityGranting for Impact
Goals for the Future

• enhance relationships with grantees
• Continuous learning
• Consultation, ongoing dialogue, further research
• Work collaboratively with other funders
• Do no Harm

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Building Community Through Effective Relationships

• Presentation to Opportunities Waterloo Region
• September 27th 2005
• Ron Dowhaniuk United Way of Cambridge and North
  Dumfries
• Jan Varner, United Way of Kitchener-Waterloo and
  Area

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Collaboration

• Definition
• Collaboration is a mutually beneficial and
  well-defined relationship entered into by two or
  more organizations to achieve common goals
• The relationship includes a commitment to mutual
  relationships and goals a jointly developed
  structure and shared responsibility mutual
  authority and accountability for success and
  sharing of resources and rewards
• CollaborationWhat Makes It Work, 2nd Edition,
  Wilder Foundation, 2004

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Cooperation, Coordination and Collaboration

• Differences in
• Vision and relationships
• Structure, responsibilities and communication
• Authority and Accountability
• Resources and rewards
• CollaborationWhat Makes It Work, 2nd Edition,
  Wilder Foundation, 2004

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Why Collaborate?

• Pressure to do more with less
• Scrutiny of non-profits
• Duplication of services is seen as wasteful
• Large scale challenges require large scale
  solutions
• Increasing complexity of issues and solutions
• Forming AlliancesWorking Together to Achieve
  Mutual Goals Hoskins Angelica Fieldstone
  Alliance, 2005

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Benefits of Collaboration

• Increases effectiveness
• Builds shared vision commitment
• Creates and strengthens partnerships
• Mobilizes resources

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What gets in the way?

• Fractured problems, fractured resources
• Fractured outcomes
• The power dilemma
• The cloak of collaboration
• Community Visions, Community Solutions Joseph
  Connor, Stephanie Kadel-Taras Wilder Foundation,
  2003

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Successful Collaborations

• History of collaboration or cooperation in the
  community
• Mutual respect, understanding and trust
• Multiple layers of participation

• Frequent and open communication
• Shared vision
• Sufficient funds, staff materials and time
• Collaboration What Makes it Work, Wilder
  Foundation, 2004

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Building Blocks of Community Based
InnovationCPRN 2003Cities and Communities that
Work Innovative Practices, Enabling Policies

• Local Champions
• Institutional Intermediaries
• Equitable Participation
• Civic Culture of Creativity

• Adequate Financial, and Technical Resources
• Accountability
• Assessing Progress

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Building Community Through Effective Relationships

• Presentation to Opportunities Waterloo Region
• September 27th 2005
• Jane Neath Cambridge North Dumfries Community
  Foundation
• Rosemary Smith, Kitchener-Waterloo Community
  Foundation

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Donors - Why Donate

• Personal and financial goals
• Make a difference in community
• now and forever
• Pooling of funds
• small and large donors together

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Benefits of Collaboration for the Donor

• Effectiveness of gift
• Addresses why collaborate
• Do more with less
• Duplication of services
• Complex issues and solutions
• Increased accountability
• Strengthening of partnerships
• Outcomes

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Outcomes - Why Important To Donor

• Made a difference in community
• Grant was worthwhile, lasting impact
• Own philanthropic goals carried out
• Played a role in addressing issues and solutions
• Relationship between donor, funding agency and
  community organizations
• Feedback important

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The Donor Circle

• Donor

Community organizations
Funding Agency
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Our Role

• Understand complex issues and solutions
• Support and encourage collaboration
• Build donor awareness of issues/ solutions
• Connect donors personal and financial
  philanthropic goals with community needs
• Report on outcomes to donor and others

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Community Conversations Series
Generously supported by
Opportunities Waterloo Regions Funders and
Sponsors