state of collaboration in ontario’s nonprofit sector research project preliminary findings
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State of Collaboration in Ontario’s Nonprofit Sector Research Project Preliminary Findings Heather Graham Catherine Lang Linda Mollenhauer With Lynn Eakin. Research Objectives. New, emerging and evolving Challenges and opportunities How to advance it and why - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
State of Collaboration in Ontario’s Nonprofit Sector Research Project
Preliminary Findings
Heather Graham
Catherine Lang
Linda Mollenhauer
With Lynn Eakin
Research Objectives
New, emerging and evolving
Challenges and opportunities How to advance it and why
OTF strategies to strengthen
Collaboration is…
Two or more different partners coming together
from diverse sectors, groups or regions to work
toward common goals
Innovation in Collaboration
In front and behind
Intentional and surprising
Radical or incremental
In the eyes of the beholder
Innovation in Collaboration
Innovation needs collaboration but
collaboration isn’t always innovative
KEY INFORMANT QUOTE
“I see such a laser beam focus on mission, that people are able to set
aside turf issues – I am seeing much less the - our stuff is better than your
stuff.”
2. GROWING UP
Reaching a critical mass
Taking a more measured approach
But…
Looking to access and share tools/templates and experiences
3. MORE STRATEGIC
Drive for social change and impact is bringing together non- traditional, cross-sectoral partners…
4. MORE COMPLEX
New, diverse and non-traditional partners
More time and different skills
Workable structures
KEY INFORMANT QUOTE
“The problems and opportunities we are facing are bigger and more complex
than ever before, and people are coming at it from multiple sectors to
find solutions. We need a better understanding of how and why to work
out of silos.”
5. ENABLING NOT MANDATED
Build organically
Create the space to explore
Articulate the goals, roles, systems
KEY INFORMANT QUOTE
“Often those who resist collaboration cite past instances when collaboration
was forced on them, or when it was used as an excuse to reduce funding. Those legitimate negative experiences
are hard to overcome.”
6. SUSTAINABILITY
Short-term, one time, project specific funding is a barrier to
success
KEY INFORMANT QUOTES
“These are pattern shifting changes that require time. Five years is far too
short.”
“It took at least 10 years to get solid – the collaborative almost dissolved at least
once a year during
the first decade.”
KEY INFORMANT QUOTES
“Everyone is so busy. How can we use technology/social media to maintain strong
healthy communication and reach out to others that may be interested in becoming
involved?”
“In the next five years we’ll be working in a more networked way. But we’ll also need to
do the opposite – invest deeply in the relationship side of networks.”
9. LEAD ORGANIZATIONS
Driven by funder requirements
Creates challenges of inequity
New forms are developing to address them
NOW WHERE….
Incorporate symposium learning
Dig deeper into solutions
Create more narratives
Generate recommendations