A colleague forwarded the following quote:
“Non-profits are like gerbils sometimes, running around the wheel and not getting anywhere. Part of the reason you are churning so hard is our fault: Foundations aren’t working strategically either. All of us have to change what we are doing and how we are doing it. It will take a while, but you will see a change in impact.”
- Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Wow.
More than a few words leapt off the page and burned through my eyes into my psyche: running around the wheel…aren’t working strategically…all of us have to change…
Intellectually, I know this. But it doesn’t stick until I process it emotionally.
Are you impacted by the quote? If you are a funder, can you agree? If you are a nonprofit, can you relate?
This statement definitely strikes a chord with me, and I’m sure most of the area nonprofits. We have heard our funders loud and clear: collaborate, partner, avoid duplication of services, demonstrate impact, and use our funds in the most effective and efficient way.
In the meantime, we are all dealing with less funding, and more need, which translates to less staff, and more work; thus the running around on the wheel.
Foundations are in a unique position to be the catalysts of change. They inherently have the ability and influence to identify and bring together strategic community partners, assist in clearly identifying community needs, establish a shared vision, and lead and facilitate discussions that can break down potential barriers to success.
When funding becomes contingent upon successful strategic collaborations, not only from Foundations, but also from donors, businesses, and government, and the artful leadership and resources that are required for success are provided at the onset, we will see the tide turn. Collective impact! Foundations can lead the way.
Julia–thanks for taking the time to chat with me today and share your aspirations!
I absolutely agree with Julia. Foundations serve as the lead convener and source of influence for change in our communities. The ideal scenario would be for nonprofit and foundation leaders to gather together and discuss shared values, rather than our individual roles and positions of power.