This spring, collaboration blooms in the Sunshine State

Floridians usually have one season they love the most. Some pick the mild winters—visual: Christmas Day in shorts. Others pick summer—visual: sizzling temperatures, warm ocean waters, and the power of a really good thunderstorm.

Save for hurricanes, I love all of the seasons, especially spring. Why? Picture this: Right now, I’m sitting at the table on my screen porch wearing shorts and flip flops. There’s a nice breeze blowing the tops of the oaks, causing the Spanish moss to gently sway. I'm getting paid. Got it?

For me, the quintessential mark of springtime in Florida is the aromatic orange blossom. I absolutely love it! For you non-Floridians, blooms come out after the late fall-winter fruit season.  A few trees in our neighborhood are still blooming. (Also, a bit of trivia:  Did you know that the orange blossom is our state flower?)

What else is blooming in the Sunshine State? New alliances among funders and associations in support of working smarter/better.

• The Jessie Ball duPont Fund's recently purchased a downtown Jacksonville building. They plan to convert the former central library into offices for the foundation and area nonprofits. The foundation cites successful examples of nonprofits working collaboratively when housed in the same location.  Downtown supporters are excited about the redevelopment spark. I see synergy unfolding!

• The Indian River Community Foundation, in concert with Quail Valley Golf & River Club, will financially support the Quail Valley Nonprofit Collaboration Fund. The fund will support explorations, evaluations and implementations for two or more nonprofits looking for ways to work smarter/better.

• Myers, Brettholtz & Co, CPAs, Southwest Florida Community Foundation and the United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades counties teamed up and developed the UNITE Award—a $25,000 cash prize to recognize and reward one collaboration that exemplifies excellence and community impact. This will get folks attention!

• Jacksonville-based Northeast Florida Nonprofit recently honored several organizations at the inaugural “Local Focus. Lasting Impact” Collaboration & Innovation Awards.  Kudo's to CEO Rena Coughlin and staff for advancing the topic.

Congratulations to all of these organizations for launching efforts for nonprofits to work smarter/better.

Do you know of other examples in Florida?