Marci's Blog

Hello and Happy Tuesday!
 
Thanks for the questions and also for the offline comments. I’m really looking forward to engaging with folks through the blog.
 
We received three great questions related to our work and investments in the community. I’m glad to answer these.
 
 I know that United Way has a commitment to encouraging Collective Impact relationships among organizations in our community. Will United Way be offering any trainings or opportunities for interested organizations to learn more about how to go about developing these relationships into an effective program/service?
 
Our United Way has been studying and using the Collective Impact model since 2012. For those who might be unfamiliar with this framework, it’s a disciplined form of collaboration and a way to solve complex social issues. You can learn more about Collective Impact by visiting the Collective Impact Forum.
 
Recently, we’ve been working on developing a system to build capacity and support for those who want to use this framework to work with like-minded folks. There’s still real interest in more broad-based awareness about Collective Impact in the Lehigh Valley and also there’s interest in a deeper dive for folks who are already working and using the framework. So, yes. We have a few things in the pipeline already—a partnership with the Chamber’s Nonprofit & Business Partners Council is hosting their annual conference on collaboration and we’ve committed to bringing Kim Fremont Fortunato from Campbell Soup to deliver a keynote presentation about the Role of the Private Sector in Collective Impact.  We’ll be looking to bring even more learning opportunities in the Fall of 2016.
 
Thanks again for taking the time to read and to share your thoughts. In my next post I’ll be responding to your question around United Way’s role in non-profit mergers.
 
In the meantime, leave your questions and comments in the section below. I’m already looking forward to our next cup of conversation.
 
Marci