In early January, concerned that nonprofit organizations were experiencing extreme stress due to the current economic outlook, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation staff gathered information on the emerging issues and opportunities, and their implications for the nonprofit sector. Over the course of several weeks, the Foundation reviewed the literature describing the national philanthropic sector’s response, interviewed Minnesota-based foundation and nonprofit leaders, and surveyed current grantees. The outcome of this research was the creation of the Resilient Organizations Fund, a small grant program which will leverage the Foundation’s community investments by supporting organizational capacity building activities for current grantee organizations and community partnerships.

Background

Why is the Foundation creating a Resilient Organizations Fund?

Nonprofits are experiencing stress as they try to respond to growing community needs with shrinking organizational resources. Predictions are that the current economic recession will stretch beyond 2009, demand for services will continue to grow, and financial resources to support the nonprofit sector will remain flat or even decline. In order to balance an organization’s resources with the needs of communities, a new paradigm is needed. Unfortunately, at a time when innovation is needed the most, many organizations cannot afford to give themselves the time and space they need to engage in the strategic dialogues that spark that innovation. Resilient nonprofit organizations are nimble, flexible and innovative. They have the ability to anticipate changes in the economic and social environments. The Foundation is committed to providing resources that will strengthen the leadership capacity of nonprofits to think and act differently, so they can emerge as stronger, more strategically aligned organizations.

What is the goal of the Resilient Organizations Fund?

This grant program is designed to build on the Foundation’s long-term interest in innovation, commitment to the bridging and bonding social roles of mutual assistance associations, and our investments in cross-sector partnerships to create healthier communities. The purpose of the fund is to help our grantees become more resilient in responding to the current economic challenges by:

• Strengthening organizational capacity to govern, plan, manage resources, and change their operating structures as necessary to align programs and mission
• Providing support for co-engagement of board leadership and staff in collaborative work that will enhance organizational effectiveness and sustainability
• Supporting preliminary consultations, planning activities, and implementation of sustainability strategies
• Supporting innovation and new business models

Program Design

The Resilient Organizations Fund has two components:

1. Capacity building activities
2. Small grants fund

Capacity Building Activities

The Blue Cross Foundation has forged a one year partnership with Fieldstone Alliance, MAP for Nonprofits and Nonprofits Assistance Fund. Together they will design and conduct capacity-building convenings, discovery discussions for up to 50 grantees, trainings and webinars. There is also a web-based resource directory.

Participation in the capacity-building convenings and discovery discussions is a requirement of all current grantees seeking a Resilient Organizations Fund grant. These opportunities are intended to help applicants assess their situations, creatively identify options and formulate strong proposals for capacity-building work that will build grantee resilience and a stronger future.

Convenings

The Convenings will begin with an emphasis on leadership, answering such questions as:

• What leadership legacy would you leave today? What legacy do you want to leave?
• How ready are you as a leader to embrace change and promote organizational improvements?
• What components of organizational capacity need attention?
• What’s your leadership emotional IQ?
• Where’s your support?

Breakout sessions at the convenings will cover board governance, financial sustainability, realignment/collaboration, innovation and technology. View the materials.

Learn more or register now.

Discovery Discussion

After participating in a convening, applicants will schedule a follow-up organizational assessment/diagnostics session with a consultant from our capacity-building partners called a discovery discussion. This customized, interactive consultation about one hour in length will give each grantee a deeper understanding of their organization’s current situation, help them explore various ways to address challenges and discover new opportunities, and help them sort through possible providers who can help them. Discovery discussions will take place over the phone.

Learn more about the process and how to sign up.

Trainings and Webinars

Additional free trainings and webinars sponsored by the capacity-building partners with Blue Cross Foundation support will be held over the next 12 months in the Twin Cities metro area and Greater Minnesota, in cooperation with the Minnesota Initiative Foundations. Grantee participation is encouraged but not required. The topics of the trainings will be developed based on feedback from grantees during convenings and discovery discussions.

Small Grants Fund

Small grants are available to current nonprofit grantee and cross sector partnerships

The small grants program totaling $400,000 is open to Blue Cross Foundation grantees with active grants. A grantee must participate in a convening and a discovery discussion to be eligible to apply. Grants of up to $20,000 for up to one year are available for planning and implementation activities to address innovation, management, financial, governance, and/or structural issues.

Learn more about the grants program and download an application.