The Strategic Alliance Partnership was created to support the exploration and formation of collaborations, alliances and/or mergers that would enable Toledo-area nonprofits to achieve more effective and efficient use of financial and human resources, gain greater long-term financial stability and enhance social impact. Funds are granted twice per year through Greater Toledo Community Foundation's online grant system to organizations seeking opportunities to collaborate. The SAP Guidelines provide more information regarding upcoming deadlines and the application process.
What exactly is a Strategic Alliance Partnership?
•Administrative Consolidation: Typically aimed at increasing efficiency, includes formal agreement for contracting, exchanging or sharing services. Organizations involved in administrative consolidations share decision-making powers over a number of areas including office space, staffing, etc.
•Corporate Merger/Acquisition: Includes full integration of programmatic assets and administrative functions. However, because nonprofit funding can be so closely tied to an organization's name and original mission, many nonprofits "merge administratively" but retain both names and brand identities.
•Collaboration: Includes information sharing, program coordination and joint planning. Organizations involved in collaborations remain independent with full decision-making power over their own organizations but often form an umbrella organization to consolidate resources and create better opportunities for funding.
•Joint Programming can also be defined as a Strategic Alliance Partnership. However, this alliance should be thought of as a restructuring where organizations share the launch and management (and thereby enjoy significant cost savings) of one or more large programs or services that is lacking in the community. Organizations involved in joint programming share decision-making powers for the program or service while maintaining independence in managing their own organizations. Often joint programming leads to closer types of alliances. In order to be competitive with this type of grant proposal, significant cost savings and community impact must be demonstrated.
The following resources will assist you in working with multiple organizations on the same funding request.
Proposals are submitted through Greater Toledo Community Foundation's online application process. No hard copies will be accepted. Prior to submitting a proposal, applicants are encouraged to contact Ms. Chris Dziad, Program Officer for the Strategic Alliance Partnership grant, via email at [email protected].
The Strategic Alliance Partnership employs a two-step application process. All interested applicants must first submit a letter of inquiry. Full proposals are by invitation only and may only be submitted by organizations that are invited to apply after their letter of inquiry has been reviewed. Proposals and corresponding attachments must be received by midnight of the application deadline date in order to be considered for funding. Attachments such as support letters, 501(c)(3) IRS letters, and other due diligence are part of the full proposal submission process and are not required with Letters of Inquiry.
The two deadline dates for receipt of letters of inquiry are February 15 and September 15. You can find more information about the Strategic Alliance Partnership grant opportunity here.
