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Blue Cross and Blue Shield

of North Carolina Foundation

“How to Effectively Connect with Grantmakers”

October 9, 2008

Kellan Chapin, Program Manager

An independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation is a licensed affiliate of Blue Cross and

Blue Shield of North Carolina. ® Registered Mark of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

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Objectives

1) Learn how to effectively connect with grantmakers

2) Better understand what is important to grantmakers

3) Learn why partnerships are essential to sustainability  

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How to connect with a grantmaker

Do your homework

Call the program manager/officer

Listen to and act upon their advice

Submit only those projects that align with the grantmakers’ priorities

Cultivate the relationship

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What’s Important to Grantmakers?

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outcome

result

goalobjective impact

output

measurable

short-term changelong-term change

milestones

achievements

differences

indicator benchmark

benefits input

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Three Important Questions for Nonprofits

How do you define success – meaning results from your services?

How do you know for sure when success has been achieved?

Half way through your program, how do you know that you have enough time and money left to get to the success you have defined?

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Funder vs. Investor

The Funder

Uses multiple criteria to select grants; may use a point system

Believes fairness means distance from applicants

Considers decisions the high point of their work

Monitors for grant compliance

The Investor

Answers 3 questions of each opportunity:– What are we buying?

– What are the chances we’ll get it?

– Is this the best possible use of money?

Believes fairness means appropriate engagement to fully understand

Considers initial investment only the starting point

Asks: How can I help?

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Investment Approach

Targets align with results sought by the focus area Clearly defined, verifiable health gains Alignment between organization’s mission and core know how Prior achievements in most relevant work is strong Key individuals have necessary attributes and capabilities Organization is financially sound based on most recent audit Process is clear in terms of intensity/duration to make a difference Milestones are clear and presumed predictors of success Commitment from key partners “Cost for human gains” is strong compared to similar opportunities Replicability

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Why are partnerships essential to sustainability?

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What is sustainability? What does it mean to your organization?

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What is Sustainability?

In a general sense, it is the capacity to maintain a certain process or state indefinitely.

How does this translate to grantmakers?

– Do you have the right partners at the table?

– Do you have multiple investors/revenue streams?

– What will happen to your project or staff after the grant is complete?

– Do you have the right people (sparkplugs) doing the work?

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Partnerships help achieve sustainability

Community problems = community solutions

Improved health gains

Nonprofits operate in cost-constrained environments (time, talent and money)

Partnerships help leverage limited resources

Grantmakers invest in collaborations, not silos

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Thank you!

www.bcbsncfoundation.org