Events
Together on Purpose: Exploring the Spectrum of Nonprofit Collaboration
December 10 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Intended Audience: Nonprofit executive directors, board members, staff and community leaders interested in exploring opportunities for working together more effectively.
In today’s rapidly changing environment, nonprofits are being called to work smarter, deeper and more collaboratively. From informal cooperation and shared staffing to administrative consolidation and full organizational merger, there exists a broad continuum of collaboration. This interactive virtual session will explore how purpose-driven organizations can assess, initiate and sustain collaborative efforts that strengthen their missions and amplify community impact.
We’ll begin with insights from Anne Wallestad, professional coach and former president & CEO of BoardSource. Anne will set the stage for why now is a pivotal moment for nonprofits to view collaboration as a strategic pathway—helping us reflect on how shared purpose and values can spark meaningful, durable relationships among organizations.
Then, Jodi Rhone and Chris Koppelin of Canary Consulting will provide tactical tools and frameworks you can use right away to identify potential partners, clarify goals and evaluate readiness for collaboration.
Finally, we’ll hear from YouthPort, a collaborative initiative uniting three like-mission organizations, as they share their real-world journey toward alignment and collective impact. The session will conclude with time for Q&A and reflection.
Key Takeaways
– Understand the continuum of nonprofit collaboration—from networking to coordination to merger
– Identify organizational conditions that enable effective joint work
– Gain practical tools to assess readiness and opportunity for collaboration
– Learn from real examples of successful collaborative models in Iowa
– Reframe collaboration as a proactive, purpose-driven strategy for mission fulfillment
Contact Barb Hobson at hobson@desmoinesfoundation.org or (515) 883-2626 with any questions.
