An Example of Co-Location - Good Idea or No? January 13, 2013; Source:Star-Ledger Does “one stop shopping” work for consumers of mental health services? In New Jersey, Morris County is hoping to woo nonprofit mental health groups to relocate to the same building with the idea that their proximity and collaboration will both save money and enhance services. Morris County is moving ahead with its plans to build this nonprofit mental health mall and are now seeking nonprofit groups to rent space at the complex. So far, they say, more than 15 nonprofits have expressed an interest in moving to the site. The county’s St. Morris County Assistant Administrator Mary Jo Buchanan tells the Star-Ledger that this plan makes sense in light of the growing demand for more “cost-effective, shared services.” It seems like the nonprofit mall concept is a winner for everyone: taxpayers, mental health providers and those who use the services.
Forget Networking. How to Be a Connector. Connector Josh Bycel raised $50,000 in three weeks to fund a medical clinic at a refugee camp in Darfur. We all know people like them, people who seem to know everyone. They're always able to help -- or if they can't, they know someone who can. You meet them for the first time and in 15 minutes, you're talking with them like you're childhood friends. They're successful, smart and funny, with a likable touch of self-deprecation.
And they're interested in everything. Who are they? "I like people and am genuinely curious," says Banikarim, 42. Related: 12 Tips for Trading Places in 2012 As Gladwell writes, "sprinkled among every walk of life . . . are a handful of people with a truly extraordinary knack of making friends and acquaintances. Traits such as energy, insatiable curiosity and a willingness to take chances seem to be the common thread among connectors -- as well as an insistence that connecting is not the same as networking.
Related: Top Workplace Trend for 2012 "I'm a comedy writer. Are Partnerships the New Mergers? April 30, 2011; Times Union | Last week NPQ published a newswire about a new fund in Massachusetts that is designed to promote partnership between agencies – again, partnerships and not necessarily mergers. This article (linked to above) from Schenectady, N.Y. provides another example of what people are intending in crafting such relationships. Parsons Child & Family Services and Northeast Parent & Child Society have a number of similarities. They both serve children and families, they both have approximately 600 staff and both have budgets of approximately $38 million, but apparently they have complementary offerings that, if put together, would result in clients being served more effectively.
So the two agencies have decided to create a “parent holding company” governed by a board of 20 people, ten each from both of the organizations. How Networked Nonprofits Visualize Their Networks. Photo Tweeted by @starfocus during a network mapping session at NWF Two weeks ago, the social media maven from the National Wildlife Federation, Danielle Brigida, tweeted the above photo showing how they were mapping one of their networks with one of my favorite low tech tools: sticky notes. This got my attention because I was designing a Networked Nonprofit workshop for E-Mediat and will incorporate a network mapping exercise. Danielle connected me to Daniel Chu, Vice President, Affiliate and Regional Strategies and resident network weaving enthusiast. Daniel facilitated a network mapping activity with NNF’s 10 education advocacy staff from regional offices and headquarters. They wanted to visualize their network for a specific purpose: getting a national bill (Moving Children Outdoors Act) on Obama’s desk for signature by Oct. 2012.
They used sticky notes to visualize the network. What is the strategic value of investing in the relationship with that person? The value? Observations 1. Database Links Giving with Need. January 2, 2011; The Day | The Connecticut Council for Philanthropy has always viewed itself as a nexus between foundations and nonprofits, a mechanism for connecting the state's nonprofits to the surprisingly small list of foundations in an otherwise comparatively wealthy state. The Council continues to fill that role by releasing its annual wish list of nonprofit needs that foundations – and charitable donors – might help fill.
The Council’s Ways to Share database allows online searches by nonprofit name (242 nonprofits are listed), location, or interest area. We took a peek at the list and found much impressive content in this Connecticut Council for Philanthropy resource. It is particularly useful for individual donors, as the lists of needs are often small items that individuals might provide. In addition, the nonprofits list volunteer opportunities – a very useful link for people who like to combine giving time and money. ‘Tis the Season—How the Nonprofit Sector “Shares” Itself Out of Impact (December 9, 2010) | Opinion Blog. Nonprofits, government, and philanthropy need to take up better sharing practices to advance nonprofits and the communities they aim to serve. This week I have walked into a dozen or more nonprofit organizations and have noticed that many of them have put up holiday decorations.
In admiring the work, one of the words that I saw spread across the walls and holiday flyers was “sharing”. It is a word that makes increased appearances during the holiday season. I was thinking about this word as I met with several of these nonprofits and discussed the challenging financial circumstances that they are dealing with. As we pour through their options, one of the questions I ask is how they partner with other organizations. In examining these responses, it should be fairly easy to understand the problem. Foundations—Foundations have for several years required that nonprofit organizations collaborate, possibly with the idea that there would be a resource exchange. Harvey Milk and the Human Rights Campaign. December 14, 2010; Source: Centre Daily Times | In its efforts to win support for gay rights, The Human Rights Campaign hasn't done such a good job making friends within its own community.
In fact the Washington, D.C. -based HRC is so disliked by some activists in San Francisco that they're trying to stop the group from opening an information center and gift shop at a store that served as the base for the political operations of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to a major public office in the United States. Milk, a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, was assassinated 32 years ago at City Hall, along with Mayor George Moscone.
Since then, Milk's former camera shop has been a place of honor and one of the city's gay landmarks. According to the Associated Press, gay activists who dislike HRC because they think the group's lobbying efforts are ineffective would "rather see a Starbucks" in Milk's old store than an HRC gift shop. Collective Impact (November 17, 2010)
Large-scale social change requires broad cross-sector coordination, yet the social sector remains focused on the isolated intervention of individual organizations. S ee also: " Roundtable on Collective Impact " " Channeling Change: Making Collective Impact Work " " Understanding the Value of Backbone Organizations in Collective Impact " " Embracing Emergence: How Collective Impact Addresses Complexity " The scale and complexity of the U.S. public education system has thwarted attempted reforms for decades. Major funders, such as the Annenberg Foundation, Ford Foundation, and Pew Charitable Trusts have abandoned many of their efforts in frustration after acknowledging their lack of progress. Against these daunting odds, a remarkable exception seems to be emerging in Cincinnati. Why has Strive made progress when so many other efforts have failed?
Strive didn’t try to create a new educational program or attempt to convince donors to spend more money.