Philanthropic Collaborations - How Some Succeed, and Why Some Fail


credit: Wikipedia

Researchers Alison Powell, Susan Wolf Ditkoff, and Fay Twersky have partaken in a collaboration literature review, which identified more than 125 major articles and reports by practitioners and academics.

The review shows knowledge gaps, particularly around the foundational questions of whether funders should pursue collaborative action, and what distinguishes failure from success.

To address these gaps, the researchers conducted a study of 10 relatively successful collaboratives, as well as a set of 15 that had faltered or failed, including collaboratives in which donors align funding against an agreed set of criteria, and excluded those whose core focus is learning together while pursuing individual funding goals.

The key finding of the research is under collaboratives can drive greater results when well executed compared to funders who generally believe they could achieve by working alone.

The research suggests the value stronger models can achieve, and provides guidance where collaboratives can better focus their grantmaking strategies and engage their grantees to achieve more impact.

The researchers dig deep into examining core areas that include organization funders, field builders, goal aligners, finding the right investment thesis, and gathering fundamental questions for funder collaboratives to ask themselves.

Read the Entire Article


Selected Grant News Headlines

A customized collection of grant news from foundations and the federal government from around the Web.

Social Entrepreneur: Western Charities Must Empower African Business

Haril Kazindra and wife Andrea are the co-founders of Musana, a community development NGO that runs 19 social enterprises across Uganda.Musana has offices in Denver and London and employs 700 staff,...more

Kosciusko County Goes 'All in' With New Countywide Initiative For Economic and Community Growth
Foundation: Lilly Endowment

All In Kosciusko exists to promote and accelerate the economic and community development already happening across the county.Concerns about economic diversification, talent retention and quality of...more

Bill Gatton Foundation

The Bill Gatton Foundation supports K-12 and higher education, health, and community development in Kentucky, Upper East Tennessee, and Southwest Virginia.Large education grants include $13.5 million...more

Local Organizations Win $9 Million For New Affordable Housing, Social Services

Local organizations win $9 million for new affordable housing, social services.Connecticut's Community Investment Fund grants come amid a deluge of cuts to federal funding.The fund was established in...more

Kindness and Philanthropy Feeding People in Tahoe
Foundation: Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation

Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation has proudly supported Bread & Broth for the past 10 years.In 2024, the Community Foundation was able to introduce the mission of Bread and Broth to a donor who is...more

Latino Community Foundation Awards $3.88M in Grants Across California and Nevada
Foundation: Latino Community Foundation

Latino Community Foundation Awards $3.88M in Grants Across California and Nevada.NewsBreak: Latino Community Foundation awards $3,000,000 in grants across California andNevada.Newsbreak: $1.5 million...more

Beyond Philanthropy: Alejandro Betancourt Lopez's Vision of Impact-Driven Business Development

Alejandro Betancourt Lopez rejects traditional corporate social responsibility models that separate business operations from community impact.Rather than limiting community engagement to corporate...more

Thoughtful Philanthropy For A Happier Community

Thoughtful giving isn't just about making a donation, it's about creating meaningful impact.Community foundations exist to connect generosity with need, ensuring that charitable giving is both...more

Nonprofit Finance Fund Hires Kareem Thomas As Chief Credit Officer

Kareem Thomas most recently served as Chief Credit and Lending Administration Officer at Reinvestment Fund.Bhavani Daryanani has more than 20 years of experience in the sector, bringing deep...more

Secu Foundation Honored With Ccuf Hero Award For Partner in Philanthropy

SECU Foundation has been named a recipient of the 2024 Carolinas Credit Union Foundation Hero Award for Partner in Philanthropy.The SECU Foundation promotes local community development in North...more


In the world of social enterprises, failure is a cringe-worthy moment nobody wants to talk about. But, social entrepreneurs can benefit from their failures.



Federal Government Grant and Assistance Programs


ARRA Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students | Affordable Care Act (ACA) Grants for New and Expanded Services under the Health Center Program | Family Connection Grants | Culturally and Linguistically Specific Services Program | Academic Exchange Programs Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program | Microloan Program | Border Community Capital Initiative | Non-Sale Disposals of Mineral Material | | Site Style by YAML | Grants.gov | Grants | Grants News | Sitemap | Privacy Policy

Edited by: Michael Saunders

© 2008-2025 Copyright Michael Saunders