Navigating the Funder/Backbone Relationship – Panel Discussion

“Navigating the Funder/Backbone Relationship” panel discussion at the 2015 Collective Impact Convening in New Orleans on May 5, 2015. Featuring:

• Amy Barad (The Cowen Institute at Tulane University)
• Stephanie Byrd (United Way Success by 6)
• Jennifer Roberts (Baptist Community Ministries)
• Shiloh Turner (Greater Cincinnati Foundation)
• Doug Wood (Ford Foundation)

About this Panel:

Funders play many roles in collective impact initiatives. To be true to the nature of collective impact, funders often need to go beyond their role as grantmakers to also serve as co-creators and partners with those in the collaborative. While this type of holistic engagement presents new opportunities, it also has the potential to create tensions regarding responsibilities and power dynamics. How do these tensions specifically play out in the relationship between the funder and backbone leaders? During this session, participants will hear from funder/backbone duos about how they work together effectively and how they navigate various roles depending on the conversation and situation. All attendees will also be asked to reflect on their role as a funder and/or backbone leader.