Nothing is perfect

I was glad to spend time yesterday with Alicia Lara, Vice President, Community Investment at United Way of Greater Los Angeles who shared her extensive experience of partnerships in the philanthropic world. We were intrigued by the unexpected similarities between our organisations.

I’m very grateful to her for handing on a copy of  Elwood Hopkins’ book, ‘Collective Philanthropies: What Grops of Foundaitons Can Do That Individual Funders Cannot’.   I like his clear ramework, suggesting partnerships can be used by grant-makers as a tool for:

- increasing efficiency

- framing comprehensive solutions

- fostering risk-taking

- improving governance

- improving communications and knowledge management

- setting directions

He argues that partnerships are a sign of maturity in the philanthropic world.  Importantly, he acknowledges there is a flip-side.   Alicia – who has worked closely with Elwood – talked about this too.  She reminded me that there are times when the hours and effort required seems too great; when you have to say no and draw back.

We talked too about the challenges for programme officers in managing new projects and partnerships when Chief Executives have great ideas!  It’s always good to meet people like Alicia, who have vision but are not afraid to discuss the lessons we can learn from ‘failures’.