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How Collaboration Can Support Communities Through Economic Transitions
How can a community shift their economic future?In this episode, we explore how communities heavily reliant on a single industry can come together to diversify and build a more resilient economy. This kind of transformation is complex and requires collaboration across a broad range of partners to support the wellbeing of the whole community.We discuss what it looks like to diversify single-industry communities with Heidi Binko of the Just Transition Fund and Sherene Hess, an Indiana County Commissioner from Western Pennsylvania. We discuss the challenges these communities face, including job losses and economic uncertainty, and delve into development strategies that can support diversification, including how to leverage local assets, foster collaboration across communities, and access a variety of funding streams.This is a helpful conversation for anyone seeking to better prepare your community to withstand economic shifts and shocks, and proactively plan for long-term economic sustainability.Resources and FootnotesJust Transition FundCenter for Community GrowthIndiana County ThrivesMore on Collective ImpactInfographic: What is Collective Impact?Resource List: Getting Started in Collective ImpactThe Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0. The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/
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1:01:50
Defending and Advancing Democracy and Equity in Collective Impact Work
Collaboratives based in the U.S. that are working to solve for and reduce disparities in their communities are facing compounding challenges with the current chaotic sociopolitical climate, including sudden funding cuts, mass job losses, mis- and disinformation campaigns, demoralizing messaging from national leaders and those they have deputized, and vigorous attacks on both equity and democracy.When everything seems to be coming down at once—overwhelming by intention, it feels like a tsunami of Executive Orders, department directives, and social media missives that range the spectrum from unprofessional to potentially illegal (or “extralegal”). The current context feels confounding. What do we do? What can we do?In a candid and grounded podcast conversation that is both sobering and hopeful, Collective Impact Forum senior advisor Junious Williams talks with Erika Bernabei and Theo Miller (Equity & Results) about this current chaotic time for U.S. collective impact initiatives.Together, they discuss:What it means to assess and mitigate risks right now—individually and organizationally;How organizations with more power or flexibility can provide cover and protect others, and how important it is to not “obey in advance.”The need for honest conversations amongst partners, including if you have a shared understanding around organization ethics and mission;The critical importance of storytelling to counter misinformation and support vulnerable communities;How to analyze the current context amidst overwhelming noise;How to identify both defensive and offensive strategies to protect and advance equity within the work. (Even if you can’t say “equity” right now at your job.)Resources and FootnotesEquity & ResultsJunious Williams Consulting, LLCResponding to Threats and Changes Planning ToolReckoning with the U.S. Election: 10 Reflections and Recommendations for Collective Impact NetworksCore Principles to Support Anti-Racism in Collective ImpactDEI, advocacy, and legal resources collected by Junious WilliamsMore on Collective ImpactInfographic: What is Collective Impact?Resource List: Getting Started in Collective ImpactThe Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0. The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/
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1:22:15
Why Community Listening is Critical to Achieve Effective Philanthropy
Listening to community members and tapping into community expertise are key factors when trying to understand why social issues are happening, and what potential solutions may be best to address these challenges. This is especially true for philanthropy, a sector committed to traditionally funding social change through more “top down” strategies, rather than seeking and empowering community-driven solutions from the beginning. Over the last 10 years, the funder collaborative Fund for Shared Insight has been working to support philanthropy to better engage and uplift community voice by promoting resources and building capacity around community listening, centering community voice and expertise, and learning how to shift from “power over” to “power with” their community members and partnering organizations. In this new podcast discussion, we talk with Melinda Tuan, Shared Insight's managing director. Melinda shares key takeaways from the last decade, including what it takes to support and encourage change in how foundations work with communities. From participatory practices to community advisory boards, we explore strategies that have helped foundations better connect to their constituents and reach their funding goals.Resources and FootnotesFund for Shared InsightTime for a Three-Legged Measurement StoolFunder Listening Action MenuThe Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo VillavicencioThe What, Why, and How of Advancing Funder OpennessAdvancing Funders’ Openness Practices ReportBuilding Capacity to Support Community ListeningMore on Collective ImpactInfographic: What is Collective Impact?Resource List: Getting Started in Collective ImpactThe Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0. The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/
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40:46
Why is Backbone Leadership Different?
What are the skills and mindsets necessary to be a backbone leader for a collaborative?In this new podcast discussion, we talk with Paul Schmitz and Dominique Samari, authors of the recent report, “Backbone Leadership Is Different.” We explore how backbone leadership is unique and why It differs from traditional, more hierarchical leadership styles. In the discussion, we dive into:The specific mindset shifts required in backbone leadership;The skill sets that are crucial for effective backbone leadership;The importance of building relationships as a vital aspect of backbone leadership(and why it’s necessary that relationship-building be specified as part of the backbone’s work, and not considered an add-on or “on the side”.)Advice and insights on how backbone leaders can effective support collaboratives.Resources and FootnotesReport: Backbone Leadership Is DifferentWebinar: The Skills and Mindset Shifts Backbones Need for Collective ImpactResource: Racial Equity ToolkitOnline Platform: Kin UniverseArticle: Centering Equity in Collective ImpactBlog: Making Meetings WorkPodcast: What Makes an Effective Backbone LeaderMore on Collective ImpactInfographic: What is Collective Impact?Resource List: Getting Started in Collective ImpactThe Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/
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41:36
Partnering with Companies to Advance Collective Impact
Companies can be a critical partner in collective impact work. However, working with companies can pose unique challenges, from understanding how to initiate these partnerships to understanding how to best partner to sustain these relationships over time.To learn more about how collaboratives can engage and partner with the private sector to advance social change work, we talk with Nikhil Bumb, Managing Director at the social change consulting firm FSG.In this conversation, we discuss the multiple ways that nonprofits and companies can collaborate, from reaching out through corporate philanthropy to building deep, cross-sector partnerships. We also explore some of the unique advantages and challenges associated with partnering with companies, including the importance of:Challenging preconceived notions about what it means to work in the nonprofit or private sector;Understanding each partner’s strengths, resources, and limitations;Strengthening relationships by fostering a culture of mutual understanding, shared learning, and transparency;Moving beyond transactional relationships to establish a shared mission and values alignment.Resources and FootnotesFSGReport: The Promise of PartnershipsBlog: Partnering for Change, Committing to LearningBlog: What Business Leaders Wish NGOs Knew about Transformative PartnershipsPodcast: Shifting from Competition to Partnership in Private Sector CollaborationMore on Collective ImpactInfographic: What is Collective Impact?Resource List: Getting Started in Collective ImpactThe Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/
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45:20