Collaboration series shares diverse perspectives

A recent Stanford Social Innovation Review article (and subsequent blog from The Patterson Foundation) brought into focus the opportunities and challenges of utilizing partnership models for mission impact. As hard as it may be to swallow the difficulties outlined in the article, parallel efforts bring fresh insights to the subject.

In conjunction with the article, the Bridgespan Group partnered with Lodestar Foundation, La Piana Consulting, SeaChange Capital Partners and the Catalyst Fund for Nonprofits to produce the series. Kudos to everyone involved for working together!

The format is refreshing—it tells the story from different perspectives. A case study might be written by the funder or consultant, while the blog is written by a nonprofit executive. In all, five nonprofit executives share their partnership journey perspectives.

Here’s a quick summary, but don’t let this reader’s digest version keep you from exploring the full plate of offerings. All of the information is housed on the Bridgespan website: Strategy Development >Mergers That Make A Difference. I have skimmed the information, but haven’t started in-depth reading.

• Katie Smith Milway, partner of The Bridgespan Group's Boston office and head of its knowledge group, curated the material and combined it with Bridgespan’s resources and experiences. Milway and others authored the SSIR article, contributed two case studies and wrote the introduction.

• You’ll learn about the value of mission-driven rationales as the platform for two United Way mergers in Michigan.

• Two organizations dedicated to moving economically-challenged women up the economic ladder walked the talk by strengthening mission and programs through a partnership.

• The Executive Director of a Massachusetts AIDS organization shares key points on what it takes to use more strategy and less egos to advance mission impact.

• What does senior leadership at Good Shepherd Services have to say about merging cultures? Read "Acquiring Sites and Programs".

I’ve touched on half of the information. Let’s read together and see what we learn!