In the social-good sector, the ability to collaborate and build consensus is not just a valuable skill—it’s essential for achieving sustainable impact.
In a recent article from NonProfit Pro, Dr. Jackson Drumgoole II, founder of Bridge Builder Communities, highlights the critical role that collaboration and consensus play in the success of nonprofit initiatives. You can read his article - The Power of Collaboration and Consensus in Nonprofit Leadership - here.
Drawing from his experiences at Bridge Builder Communities, Dr. Drumgoole offers insights that resonate deeply with the mission of SureImpact and the nonprofit sector at large.
The Necessity of Collaboration
Nonprofit organizations are often tasked with addressing complex societal issues that no single entity can tackle alone. Dr. Drumgoole emphasizes the necessity of collaboration, particularly in the context of Bridge Builder Communities, which supports young adults aging out of the foster care system. By partnering with various stakeholders—businesses, elected officials, churches, civic organizations, other nonprofits, medical facilities, and mental health agencies—Bridge Builder Communities creates a holistic support system that meets the diverse needs of these young adults.
For example, partnerships with local businesses provide job training and employment opportunities, essential for these young adults as they transition to independent adulthood. Collaborations with faith-based organizations offer spiritual and emotional support, while medical and mental health partnerships ensure comprehensive care. This multifaceted approach not only prevents the duplication of efforts but also maximizes the resources and expertise available to address the unique challenges faced by the youth in their care.
Engaging Elected Officials: A Critical Component
In addition to these partnerships, Dr. Drumgoole highlights the importance of engaging with elected officials at all levels of government. Elected officials have the power to shape policies that directly impact the communities served by nonprofits. By building relationships with these officials, nonprofits can influence legislation, secure funding, and advocate for systemic changes that benefit their target populations.
At Bridge Builder Communities, this engagement has been instrumental in advancing their mission. Local government support was crucial in securing zoning approvals for their Tiny Home Village project, a key initiative designed to provide stable housing for young adults aging out of foster care. Additionally, state-level engagement has opened doors to grants and other funding opportunities that are vital for the organization’s sustainability. On a national level, advocating for policies that support aging-out foster youth has allowed Bridge Builder Communities to contribute to broader legislative efforts aimed at improving the foster care system.
Collaborating with elected officials not only enhances the impact of their initiatives but also amplifies their voice in the public sphere. By working alongside policymakers, nonprofits can raise awareness of the issues they address, build momentum for change, and ultimately strengthen the overall effectiveness of their advocacy efforts.
Building Consensus for Collective Impact
While collaboration brings together diverse stakeholders, consensus-building is what drives collective impact. Dr. Drumgoole explains that consensus-building involves open communication, mutual respect, and a shared vision among all partners. This process can be challenging, especially when partners have different priorities and perspectives, but it is essential to ensure that all parties are aligned and committed to the common goal.
At Bridge Builder Communities, consensus-building is central to their community development strategy. When they launched the Tiny Home Village in Augusta, they hosted a stakeholder whiteboard session with civic and social organizations to ensure that the project aligned with community needs. By involving all stakeholders in the decision-making process, they secured broad support and fostered a sense of ownership among the community. This collaborative approach not only strengthened the project but also amplified its impact.
The Role of Nonprofit Leaders
As Dr. Drumgoole points out, nonprofit leaders play a pivotal role in facilitating collaboration and guiding the consensus-building process. This requires strong leadership skills, including active listening, conflict mediation, and the ability to inspire others with a compelling vision. Leaders must also be flexible and adaptable, recognizing that collaboration is an ongoing process that may require adjustments as circumstances evolve.
Moreover, nonprofit leaders must be intentional in selecting partners who share their organization’s values and commitment to the mission. Dr. Drumgoole describes this as surrounding yourself with people who have the “heart, heads, and hands” to do the work. By prioritizing partnerships with organizations that understand the unique challenges faced by their target population and provide solutions that promote long-term success, nonprofit leaders can ensure that their collaborative efforts are both impactful and sustainable.
Bridge Builder Communities: A Case Study in Effective Collaboration
Bridge Builder Communities serves as a powerful example of how strategic collaboration and consensus-building can lead to significant social impact. Their mission is to support young adults aging out of the foster care system, a population that faces numerous challenges as they transition to independent adulthood. Through partnerships with businesses, elected officials, faith-based organizations, and other nonprofits, Bridge Builder Communities has created a comprehensive support system that addresses the diverse needs of these young adults.
One of their most innovative initiatives is the Tiny Home Village in Augusta, a project that provides stable housing for aging-out foster youth. This project exemplifies the power of collaboration and consensus-building, as it was developed through extensive stakeholder engagement and supported by local government officials. The success of the Tiny Home Village demonstrates how a collaborative approach can lead to sustainable, community-driven solutions that have a lasting impact.
SureImpact: Empowering Collaborations Like Bridge Builder Communities
SureImpact understands the importance of strategic collaboration and consensus-building for driving meaningful, long-term social change. For organizations like Bridge Builder Communities that rely on partnerships with diverse stakeholders to achieve their mission, a centralized infrastructure for data collection and shared measurement is critical to maximizing their collective impact.
As more nonprofits adopt collaborative models to address complex challenges, SureImpact’s purpose-built platform offers the ideal solution for tracking, measuring, and optimizing the effectiveness of their individual and collective efforts. By simplifying and streamlining data collection and analysis, SureImpact enables organizations to better understand their impact, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions that enhance their outcomes. SureImpact’s centralized platform facilitates stronger partnerships and fosters trust among stakeholders, helping to ensure that collaborative efforts have the maximum possible impact.
At SureImpact, we are committed to empowering nonprofits to drive social change by providing the tools they need to measure and improve their collective impact. As demonstrated by Bridge Builder Communities, when nonprofits collaborate effectively and build consensus, they can create lasting solutions that transform lives and strengthen communities.
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