How Can Foundations Promote Impactful Collaboration?

The Cultivation Approach to Place-Based Philanthropy: Evaluation Findings from the Clinton Foundation’s Community Health Transformation Initiative

“…Collective impact has also been shown, in some cases, to produce solutions that improve the health and well-being of populations and communities (Lynn et al, 2018;Easterling & McDuffee, 2019). Rather than regarding cultivation and collective impact as competing models, we believe they can be complementary.…”

“…This approach to place-based philanthropy has become more popular since the publication of John Kania and Mark Kramer's article on "collective impact" in 2011. When collaborative problem-solving initiatives succeed, the impacts can be profound (Lynn et al, 2018;Easterling & McDuffee, 2019). However, many of these initiatives have not produced tangible improvements in local conditions (Brown & Fiester, 2007;Kubisch, Auspos, Brown, & Dewar, 2010).…”

Rural Foundation Collaboration: “Houston we have a problem”

“…Research suggests adverse conditions across much of rural America are growing, which argues for new approaches which may be yet unproven. Further, local funders are likely to resist being overly constrained by evidence-based practices, especially if they view non-local foundations using evidence-based approaches to impose their ideas upon them (Easterling & McDuffee, 2019). Schorr (2016) offered a framework for integrating evidence into strategy development in ways that inform rather than constrain new efforts, especially where new approaches and innovation may be needed.…”

“…She did not suggest abandoning use of available evidence, but instead advocated for a more adaptive process in overcoming limitations and/or inapplicability of certain data. Using applicable data and accommodating the need for innovation requires the capacity for co-creation between local and non-local foundations (Easterling & McDuffee, 2019;Richardson & London, 2007). Integrating research, use of entrepreneurial/innovative strategies, addressing local contexts, and engagement of emergent grant making practices could lead to more effective outcomes in pursuing complex social change such as required in rural communities (Darling et al, 2016;Kania et al, 2014;Herrera & Hoetling, 2010).…”

“…Because of this, Richardson and London (2007) called for more funder-to-funder collaboration in rural settings (including local and non-local foundations) to strengthen grantmaking strategies and better utilize finite foundation financial resources. Potential players in rural collaboration include national, regional, local foundations, and local governments; however, even in idyllic settings foundations have yet to demonstrate they are effective collaborators (Easterling & McDuffee, 2019).…”