
The Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy (CNP) at the Bush School of Government & Public Service recently conducted a webinar titled Partnership Principles for University and Nonprofit Collaboration to share how nonprofit organizations can leverage university and academic partnerships.
Led by Dr. Kenneth Anderson Taylor, Director of Outreach and Professional Development at the Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy, and Dr. Robbie Robichau, Associate Professor and Director of the Graduate Certificate Program in Nonprofit Management, the webinar discussed how to utilize cross-sector collaborations effectively. Specifically, how to engage multiple stakeholders in solution-based processes by building trust, measuring success, and understanding individual responsibilities.
The webinar provided research-based reasons for adopting cross-sector partnerships, which included addressing complex challenges and providing an opportunity for scaling and sustainability. When universities and nonprofit organizations work together, both sectors can contribute to building a better future and positively impact society.
Further, Dr. Taylor and Dr. Robichau produced a practical application of collaboration for both sectors to implement by sharing valuable observations from CNP’s recent Nonprofit BRIDGE Conference. The Nonprofit BRIDGE Conference recently brought together members of various sectors to learn about collaboration in their respective organizations through networking and discussions.
Building trust, understanding responsibilities and mutual benefits, and measuring impact were highlighted as key elements for cultivating fruitful partnerships. University and nonprofit collaborations bridge knowledge gaps, enhance the capacity for research and innovation, and create unique learning opportunities for all involved.
“We work in our silos, we work for our missions… but I started to partner with likeminded organizations and likeminded people to solve the problems we were running into at the time at my last role with Big Brothers Big Sisters as the executive director…The only way you can dig into issues is by working together. A recent example is COVID, and we were forced into partnering together.” — Dr. Kenny Taylor
“Cross-sector partnerships are one of the most common ways we’ve seen big systematic change happen across the United States. Thinking through the day-to-day issues organizations go through…these are things universities can help nonprofits do, and it can create a win-win for students’ learning and deliverables for the organization.” – Dr. Robbie Robichau
The Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy will host another nonprofit webinar on April 25th, titled Millennial Philanthropy – Engaging the Next Generation of Volunteers and Donors. Register at this link: bush.tamu.edu/nonprofit/events/
To view the PowerPoint and recording from the March Webinar, visit this link: bush.tamu.edu/nonprofit/resources/