What We Care About
Collaboration
No organization has the resources to address the complex issues facing our communities. Working together gives us an opportunity to create real change.
80%
of grantmakers believe it is important to coordinate resources and actions with other funders
Collaboration takes place in many forms (like networks, movements, collective impact) and in many funding possibilities (such as co-funding or pooled funds). But regardless of the specific details, one thing is always true — if we want to go far, we have to go together.
Collaboration requires everyone to be honest, trusting and humble. It means being open about what our strengths are as well as what knowledge and expertise our partners bring to the table. And once we understand what role we should play, solving complex challenges together becomes possible. Funding collaboration successfully and being productive partners requires that we do the hard work to set ourselves up for success. But doing so means we’re able to make faster progress on the issues we care about most.
For us, collaboration is about joining with others to try to move the needle, whether on issues such as improving the social, emotional and physical well-being of our youth or ensuring that more kids graduate and go to college.
Cheryl Walker, board chair of the Deaconess Foundation
Helpful Tools and Resources
Stay informed of the emerging trends and promising practices from the field of philanthropy through GEO’s publications and research.
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Perspectives on Philanthropy
Interesting thoughts and ideas circulating in the GEO community.
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Collective Impact Forum
The Collective Impact Forum invites you to join a community of practice (COP) for funders of collective impact.
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Conference
As part of the Scaling What Works initiative, GEO held a conference to explore the role of movements in driving social change and how grantmakers can support them.
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