In the nonprofit sector, the word we hear the most often these days is “collaboration.” That’s for good reason. In challenging economic times, it makes sense for organizations with aligned missions to work together in any way possible. Funders and recipients alike are now charged with creating efficiencies to make the best possible use of donors’ gifts.
In the field of educational foundations, we are using collaboration as a way of identifying best practices from across Michigan and across the country. We know, from the National School Foundation Association, that education is the second most supported segment of philanthropy in the country, behind only religion. So, it is imperative for our Foundation to provide ways that meet donor interest and needs at the schools we are committed to enriching. By participating in that Association, we can stay on top of which approaches are working best elsewhere in the country.
We are also actively involved in the Michigan School Foundation Network. This group is working collaboratively through the Web, conferences and member services to help fellow members lower costs, increase impact and build organizational capacity. Urban, suburban and rural school districts in Michigan face many of the same new realities, so educational foundations are working together to share effective ways to support successful programs for the benefit of Michigan’s future.
We are committed to the highest level of stewardship when we are entrusted with your donations. We believe that collaboration allows us to do better work than we ever could on our own.