I have been part of a number of conversations in the last few weeks about the possibility of donors collaborating on projects – both locally and internationally.  While we often encourage our grantees to collaborate it’s too often true that neither we nor they know what that means or what is expected.  Like many words, it means something different in the mind of everyone involved and we often start working on collaborations without taking the time to define it and to get on the same page.  Years ago I read a paper by the Council on Foundations about the several levels of the continuum of collaboration – from the slightest to the most serious.  I think that paper is out of print but if someone found it that would save us all a good deal of misunderstanding false starts disappointments unrealistic expectations and hurt feelings.  As I recall, there are four levels of cooperation and each is more complicated than the last.
First, there is information sharing. We come together to exchange information with little if any negotiation or agreement required.  These shorter-term relationships exist without any clearly defined mission structure or planning effort.  There are no expectations and no one is walking out of the room with anything to do.
Next is what we call one-time funding partnerships. They are slightly more involved and often guided by an initiating donor and study groups of donors organized around a problem or issue where each donor reserves the right to fund independently.  We have a common interest and want to know more about the issue itself and what others are doing but have no interest in putting money into a common fund.
The third level is labeled pooled funding.  Donors commit a certain amount of funds for a specific period of time to work toward solving a problem of common interest or a project that needs more money than a single donor can provide.  This also is more complicated than one time partnerships as the issues and amounts need to be thoroughly discussed and time spent coming to an agreement on where best to place the money.  There are many opinions about that and there needs to be a facilitative process for sorting out priorities and accommodating the different styles of giving.  This is like a “family” of foundations coming together and the dynamics are similar to a family foundation.  Procedures and process are important.
The most difficult and sophisticated level of cooperation is collaboration.  In this stage, the funders are actually working together on an issue.  They may even be seeking outside funding from other sources for a project that is bigger than their resources combined.  At this level, a high degree of planning and division of roles, open communication between funders and nonprofits is required. Participants bring separate organizations into a new structure with full commitment to a common mission.  Ideally, the funders would provide funds for a staff person to manage the collaboration and all the communication and planning it requires.  Everyone involved needs to be clear about the level of their commitment – not just as funders but as contributors to this entity that is bigger than a collection or network of funders.  There is a mission to accomplish and that requires constant communication and coordination.
So, think about what you want to do as you talk about cooperation with other funders. Collaboration takes time and building trust.  It’s difficult but if you do it right it is well worth it.