Increasingly, nonprofits are looking to collaborate as a strategy to adapt to change, strengthen their sustainability and grow their social impact. Community foundations not only play a role in supporting effective collaboration among grantees but also have attributes that make them attractive as prospective partners. The Council of Michigan Foundations offers this guide to help community foundations weigh such collaborative opportunities.

With the role of intermediary organizations in flux, some are exploring new ways to survive and thrive. Given their complementary roles as local funders, community foundations and United Ways may seem like ideal partners. In some cases, this proves true; in others, the partnership may not be the answer. This guide uses the example of a successful agreement between Albion Community Foundation (ACF) and Albion-Homer United Way (AHUW) to highlight practical lessons for those that may be considering similar alliances.

This tool is intended as a starting point. Use it with your board members and leadership staff to inform internal conversations about pursuing potential partnerships.