The past decade has seen a steady uptick in the number of funder collaboratives along with a surge in the volume of funds flowing through them, now over $2 billion annually. There is no shortage of webinars, books, and articles tell those of us in the philanthropic field that by working together we can be more than the sum of our parts.

Yet while most collectives report on field-level outcomes, they rarely document the realities of working together. At the Transparency and Accountability Initiative (TAI) we wanted to know what makes collaboration between our funder members work (or not), and how we can do it better. We assessed sixteen substantive instances of collaboration between our funders over the course of four years, ranging from joint evaluations to piloting shifts in grantmaking practice to joint investments in a specific geography or issue. But these collaboration case notes were not a collection of “greatest hits”: There was no requirement that the collaboration be successful (and certainly not all were!).

Consistent with recent literature, we found that (under the right circumstances) collaboration can be a benefit to both funders and grantees. Those we interviewed found some kind of utility in every one of our 16 collaborative efforts—be it the process, product, or both.

Drawing on the detailed case experiences, five factors stand out as integral to the chances of collaborative success.

1. Clear, aligned, and measurable objectives. While there can be different objectives for any one funder engaged in a collaborative effort, those outcomes should be mutually reinforcing and include metrics for gauging success.

How donors support the charities they care about has changed over time. The advent of new technologies present donors and charities with innovative tools and opportunities. In the not-too-distant past, people gave almost exclusively via checks in the mail.

Today, donors give to charities online, via text messages, and through crowdfunding appeals. They also may donate stock or other property to a charity or leave a contribution while checking out at the supermarket or drugstore.

Recently, business and government leaders have started to indicate that blockchain technology (the underlying technology behind cryptocurrency, NFTs, and the metaverse) will play an important role in the future. In the charitable sector, we have already seen the growth of what we call crypto-philanthropy, and we believe it will grow in influence in the years to come.

To help donors and charities connect safely around these technologies, BBB Wise Giving Alliance launched the GiveSafely.io platform in July 2020. On GiveSafely, thanks to blockchain technology, donors can give to trusted charities (who meet the 20 BBB Charity Standards) via credit card or cryptocurrency, safeguard their personal data and earn rewards to engage with charities working on causes they care about.

In the fall edition of the Wise Giving Guide, we delve into what crypto philanthropy looks like today, and what it might mean for the future. We hope you find the advice we provide helps you engage in this new space safely.

Nonprofits are geared toward helping others and boosting the greater good in our communities, so it’s a privilege when a nonprofit board of directors requests our assistance with their executive searches.

Nonprofit recruitment strategies differ in many ways from traditional recruiting practices. For instance, many companies appeal to candidates with their strong corporate identity, while nonprofits emphasize an opportunity to partake in a mission, like empowering or advocating for others or addressing critical service needs for marginalized populations or communities. Consider hiring a firm with experience sourcing and recruiting for nonprofits and a firm that has an extensive network of nonprofit leaders.

Many nonprofits are great at defining their mission, vision, and values but might not articulate what their Employee Value Proposition (EVP) is. This is a way to attract top talent and tells candidates about the values, rewards, and benefits of joining the organization. This can go on to share the total rewards offered, as well. An experienced recruiting firm can help you write a compelling EVP and make sure that it is included in the job ad and on the Careers page on your website.

Following the EVP, the job ad will proceed with a brief description of the organization and a list of responsibilities and qualifications that will likely include nonprofit leadership, relationship building related to fund development and community partnerships, staff management, business acumen, and board partnership.

Episode 32: Join Bryan Orander as he discusses the release of Charitable Advisor's new Welcome to the Board downloadable ebook, which includes best practices and tips for board new nonprofit board members. Bryan also talks about the value of a brief board self-assessment process in setting the board on a good path during a new year. Listen

Download a free copy of Welcome to the Board

Indianapolis Colts owner and CEO Jim Irsay has donated $1 million to the Indianapolis Zoo to support the construction of the new Indianapolis Colts Welcome Center Plaza, which is currently underway and scheduled to open in 2023. Learn more

The Villages has raised nearly $29,000 as part of its Giving Tuesday initiative. The funds raised by donors and matched by Goelzer Investment Management will be used to provide foster parents, families with newborns, and pregnant women with resources needed to keep children safe and help families thrive.

Indianapolis Business Journal is accepting nominations for its Forty Under 40 annual recognition for 2023. Individuals and organizations are invited to nominate a professional who is age 40 or younger who has excelled in their field and demonstrated civic involvement and leadership outside the workplace. Nominees must work in metropolitan Indianapolis. The deadline is Jan. 13, 2023. Nominate

For the second consecutive year, students who attended Indy Summer Learning Labs have experienced double-digit proficiency point gains in English/language arts and math, according to data released by The Mind Trust and United Way of Central Indiana. Read more

The Indianapolis Children’s Choir has announced plans to move from its longtime home on the Butler University campus. The new location at 9111 N. Allisonville Road, formerly F.C. Tucker’s real estate offices, will provide the organization with more space to serve as classrooms, rehearsal areas, and administrative offices. Learn more

How to go from disruptive to productive webinar on Dec. 21 at 1 p.m. Tony Rubelski, president of Mind Capture Group, will share tips on how to move from periods of frustration to accomplish more in today’s uncertain times. Presented by Nonprofit Hub. Cost: Free. Register

IU McKinney Law is offering a virtual Master of Jurisprudence information session on Dec. 27 at 7 p.m. for those interested in developing a better understanding of law, but who do not want to practice law. The session gives attendees the opportunity to hear from alumni of the program. Register

Cause Camp Nonprofit Conference 2023, which is Sept. 14-15 at Sawmill Creek Resort, a Cedar Point property in Huron, Ohio, is offering early bird pricing. Conference topics include board relations, team building, staffing, and effective fundraising. Presented by Nonprofit Hub. Cost: $325 for individuals and $999 for a team of four before Dec. 31. Register

How to conduct the best board meetings ever pre-recorded webinar. Learn best practices to ensure your board members look forward to meetings and get things done in between meetings. Presented by Boardable. Register to watch

United Way of Central Indiana is seeking volunteers for Indy Free Tax Prep, a program that provides free tax preparation services to people and families with a household income of $66,000 or less in 2022. The program will run from late January through the end of April in Boone, Hendricks, Marion and Morgan counties. Volunteer

Our sponsor marketplace serves to further connect our readers with our advertisers who are focused on serving nonprofits. To learn about each sponsor's nonprofit services, click on its logo.

Executive Director - Rush County Community Foundation (Rushville, IN)

President and Chief Executive Officer - Noble, Inc.

Job Seekers, what do you think of Charitable Advisors’ new job board? We moved our job board to HiringOpps in late April. Now, we are anxious to find out how the new system is working as a job seeker. If you have applied for a job using the new system, could you please take 2-minutes to let us know how it is going?