Assignment task: Partner Collaboration Barriers
Some projects are best served by engaging in partnerships. There can be many reasons for partnering, but primarily it is because the need or problem requires the involvement of multiple stakeholders. In some cases, a funder may look at organizational capacity and question whether staff has the experience and skills to carry out the project successfully. Other grants, depending on the nature of the RFP description, will specify partnerships. And some projects are simply too complex and wide ranging to even consider within a single organization.
It is important to understand that the time to reach out to potential partners about opportunities to apply for grant funding is when a need is first identified at an organization. Those who reach out to brand new "partners" because they must in order to submit a proposal may find it doesn't work once the project is implemented. The barriers to successful partnerships can vary from lack of communication to hidden agendas.
Please review the Partnerships: Framework for Working Together Guidebook PDF and consider the potential barriers that can impact the success of a partnership.
For this Discussion, based on your own project idea, consider the potential barriers that could impact the success of your prospective grant partner.
Post a 2- to 3-minute "Vlog" (video blog) reflecting on the following about barriers to successful partnerships:
- What barrier(s) could impact the success of your funding partnership?
- How will you work to overcome the barrier(s)?
- Provide an explanation of the importance of building a relationship between funder and grantee. Describe key elements of this relationship, providing a rationale for your thinking.
- Describe why the grant funder/RFP's criteria are important and how they can influence the outcomes of the funding process.
- Address both a Memorandum of Understanding and Letters of Agreement that would be necessary.
The submissions for this assignment are posts in the assignment's discussion. Below are the discussion posts for Miatta Teasley, or you can view the full discussion.
Miatta Teasley
RFP 1: Enhancing Sickle Cell Disease Care
URL: Federal Grant ExampleLinks to an external site.
Eligibility: Non-profits, healthcare organizations, educational institutions. Awards: 5 grants. Funding Amount: $500,000 per grant. Partnership Requirements: Must collaborate with local healthcare providers. Grant Period: 3 years. Board Members: N/A for federal grants.
Rationale: This RFP aligns with the project by specifically targeting sickle cell disease care enhancements. The federal government's focus on comprehensive provider education and patient access initiatives matches the project's objectives. The requirement for collaboration with local healthcare providers is beneficial for the project's implementation strategy.
RFP 2: Chronic Disease Management Initiative
URL: Foundation Grant Example
Eligibility: Non-profits, healthcare coalitions. Awards: 10 grants. Funding Amount: $250,000 per grant. Partnership Requirements: Encourages partnerships with educational institutions and community organizations. Grant Period: 2 years. Board Members: Includes healthcare professionals and philanthropists with connections to sickle cell disease advocacy.
Rationale: This foundation grant supports chronic disease management, which includes sickle cell disease. The emphasis on education and patient access aligns well with the project's goals. Existing relationships with board members who are involved in sickle cell disease advocacy enhance the project's chances of success.
RFP 3: State Health Department Grant
URL: State Health Grant Example
Eligibility: State-based healthcare organizations and non-profits. Awards: 3 grants. Funding Amount: $300,000 per grant. Partnership Requirements: Must work with state health departments and local clinics. Grant Period: 1 year. Board Members: N/A for state grants.
Rationale: This state health department grant is tailored to improving healthcare services at the state level, including for sickle cell disease. The focus on working with state health departments and local clinics aligns with the project's aim to enhance patient access to care. The shorter grant period may make it less complex and easier to manage.
Step 3: Supporting Analysis and Conclusion
I'll support the analysis with citations and references in APA format, using information from the learning resources and additional research. This will demonstrate a thorough understanding of grantsmanship and the alignment of the RFPs with the project's goals.
This approach ensures a systematic search for RFPs that align with the project's objectives. The summaries and rationales provided will highlight why each selected RFP is a good match, addressing both the project idea and the funder's priorities.