Smart Giving
Spring 2013
a publication of the central new york community foundation
Partnerships Activate New Nonprofit Resources in this issue
Small Investments Make Big Impact page 3
Giving Carries On page 5
Experiences Shared Through the Lens page 9
The Strategic Partnership Fund has made 14 grants totaling more than $285,000 to organizations who have taken on the challenge to develop effective partnerships or collaborations. This rather modest investment has resulted in big impact. We are happy to share that many grant recipients are reporting success with their restructuring efforts. SUNY SEOC Vice President, Tim Penix, Literacy Volunteers Eight nonprofits completed of Greater Syracuse (LVGS) Executive Director, Marsha their grant projects and have Tait, and NYS Senator, John DeFrancisco, meet at the successfully secured more than new LVGS headquarters, shared with SEOC and aided by a Strategic Partnership Fund grant. $500,000 in new revenues through their partnership activities. These groups also saved an estimated $4.2 million by sharing supportive services and creating other efficiencies that would not have been possible if they continued to operate alone. Many have saved or sustained services that would not be here today without their courageous actions and leadership.
The Community Foundation has made it a priority in recent years to support strategic partnerships and collaborations among our region’s nonprofit organizations as a way of responding to the economic downturn. When the economic climate became unpredictable, many nonprofits began to explore new ways that they could efficiently and effectively continue services. Organizations explored partnering with one or more groups of similar missions to preserve or enhance their services while cutting back on expenses. The Community Foundation took this as an opportunity to form the Strategic Partnership Fund, which supports the exploration and implementation of innovative collaborations that improve the delivery of services while making efficient use of limited staff time and financial resources. The list of organizations in Central New York embracing partnership activities is growing, along with the lessons learned that may help illuminate the path for many others. The themes related to this shared success are not new. They include community leadership, service, trust, and an understanding that the mission is what is sacred, not operational structure. The Community Foundation continues to support organizations like these through the Strategic Partnership Fund.
Upcoming Events and Grant Deadlines page 10
To learn more, visit cnycf.org/partner.