What are the steps to building a successful outreach partnership with a community foundation?

One thing I've found helpful is to build an ongoing relationship with those you have partnered with in the past. This is the foundation of which you can build upon moving forward. Reaching out to other organizations that share similar interests/goals in community is a great way to form and build partnership.

It is vital to do your research on the community foundation and understand their mission. Matching your firms’ abilities to their mission or at least part of their mission is important to understand before you speak or meet with them.

Moving into a new area recently, I found I had to look for opportunities to engage with people. I needed to quickly understand what I needed to gain but also be flexible as I never knew what I was going to find. Making effort and time to engage and have this conversations was most important. Over time those that had similar values and ideas made that time too and partnerships develop. Looking back some have moved quickly others are still developing.

Relationships matter. Who are the key people at the foundation that can provide the best insight into how funding decisions are made, and what kind of impact and reporting they’re looking for? How can you engage with the community they serve? Connect with them, and build that trust. Don’t think of your relationship with a community foundation simply as pumping out proposals year after year. Find the key people, and sell (i.e. build trust and credibility) your entire organization and cause.

Start with a small task, plan it out well, and execute with open communication. Gain their trust by knocking even the smallest task out of the park. The foundation’s leaders will be more open to expanding your relationship as well as recommending you to other foundations.

I have tried to invite people to visit us. Time can be precious so knowing what wants to be seen or discussed can be really important. If values aren’t aligned it can take longer but if stage 1 and 2 have gone well this is avoided. It is important that this is a two way conversation as a true partnership involves both sides contributing and benefitting. This can take longer and needs time, usually needing some short and medium term planning to help that relationship develop and other stakeholders to see the benefit.

Being present and voicing support for their initiatives is key for building that human trust and confidence that organization puts in you. It is a partnership for a reason and all parties need to see that you are there for them in person and personal interest of the success of the initiative. These impressions can last far beyond a project or two and can build a long term relationship that benefits all.

For me this happens through Stages 1-4. In a time precious environment I would argue that even at stage 1 this may be decided. The detail and planning I would work on in and after stage 3.

I agree with Dawn. This is done from the very start and should continue throughout the relationship. If end goals and aligned expectations aren’t there from the beginning, you do not set the foundation for success.

In my experience, this has been one of the most crucial aspects of the partnership. There needs to be trust and mutual respect in thoughts, ideas, and initiatives in order to make a true partnership together!

A personal gesture by you to a charity that is promoted by the leaders of the foundation can help cement your commitment to the leaders of the foundation. Make it personal and, most of all, mean it.