Highlights from June 12, 2002, Minnesota Regional Reception

Minnesota Regional Membership Dialogue and Networking Reception
"Corporate-Nonprofit Partnerships:  Creating Value in Uncertain Times"

Event Speakers: Emmett D. Carson, Ph.D., president and CEO The Minneapolis Foundation, moderator William L. Anthes, Ph.D., president and CEO National Endowment for Financial Education Judy Gaviser, vice president, Community Relations and Philanthropy American Express Company Ron James, president and CEO Center for Ethical Business Cultures Christina L. Shea, president General Mills Foundation As corporations seek innovative ways to compete in these uncertain times and nonprofits aim to meet rising social needs, new opportunities arise for corporate-nonprofit partnerships—partnerships with tremendous potential to meet both business and mission objectives. But uncertain times also can present new challenges for partnerships, specifically in determining good partners, managing the risk in partnerships, and measuring impact. On June 12th, representatives from American Express, Center for Ethical Business Cultures, General Mills, National Endowment for Financial Education, and the Minneapolis Foundation convened in Minneapolis to address such challenges. From the dialogue emerged five major principles on overcoming the challenges involved in building effective partnerships:

(from left) Christina Shea, William Anthes, and Ron James Participants at the reception discuss the issues raised. Christina Shea

1. Be clear on your needs and expectations. Experienced practitioners emphasize the need for organizations and businesses to know what they want from the relationship and be able to communicate what they want to their partners. Many attribute failed, frustrated relationships to a general misunderstanding between partners about needs and expectations.
2. Ensure an alignment of vision between you and your partner. Admittedly, one of the greatest risks is the temptation to wander from one’s mission in order to take advantage of opportunity presented by a partnership. Partners can prevent or diminish this risk by continually checking that their vision is aligned with that of the collaborating company/organization.
3. Communicate your culture. The cultural differences between nonprofit organizations and businesses pose significant challenges in cross-sector collaboration. These differences require a high level of understanding and honesty between collaborative partners. Early on, nonprofit organizations and companies must openly communicate their organizational values, culture, goals, and mission. This initial communication will help partners make well-informed decisions and overcome challenges later down the road.
4. Be clear on deliverables. In an effective partnership, each partner brings valuable resources to the table. To ensure success, however, partners must be clear on what they can bring, not what they would like to bring. Clarification around deliverables will prevent unnecessary misunderstanding between partners.
5. Expect to work continually on building the relationship. Much like any relationship, partnerships must be developed and nurtured on a continual basis. Partners who meet only when there is a problem typically are on the road to failure. Effective partnerships imbue a sense of mutual interest between nonprofit organization and business—where one partner shares a vested interest in the success of the other.