Lukas, what are funding alliances, anyway?
Lukas Hupfer: In an alliance, several organisations join together in pursuit of a common goal, so in a funding alliance, those are funding organisations. Alliances are more or less formally structured and intentionally designed for the long term. It’s what distinguishes them from ad hoc cooperation initiatives or the collective funding one so often finds in philanthropy. In the latter case, several sponsors will decide to support a particular project independently and possibly without knowledge of one another.
What are the benefits of a funding alliance?
Funding alliances are based on jointly developed strategies, which ensures that all partners align their resources and actions towards a clearly defined goal. This boosts impact, prevents duplication and creates continuity and stability. Alliances make joint learning processes and the transfer of best practices much easier, and the nature of shared responsibility helps reduce risk. Finally, the joint presence of sponsors can increase visibility and influence in both public and political discourse.
Sounds great. Why don’t all funding organisations take this approach?
Agreeing on a goal is easier said than done. For all their similarities, partners often differ in culture, values and perspectives. Recognising this diversity and putting it to use is critical for setting realistic goals and expectations. What’s more, alliances often operate at a higher systemic level. Some foundations do still prefer projects with clear attribution and causality: ‘Our contribution has made this project happen. But as I said, if anything, alliances accomplish more than that.’
Have you got an example?
A few years ago, I established a foreign policy think tank called foraus and got to experience the ins and outs of a funding alliance myself: five foundations jointly provide core funding for the organisation’s further development. After forming the alliance, the constitutive foundations and foraus now regularly exchange information regarding their common interests: what trends are heading our way? How do I keep a community engaged? In my opinion, we should build on these positive experiences and results and go one step further: I believe a comprehensive alliance unites not only funding organisations, but also grantees.
How do Con·Sense and StiftungSchweiz help strengthen funding alliances?
We believe that funding alliances in philanthropy are becoming more important than ever because of increasing volatility. They give nonprofit organisations planning security, stability and the resources they need to stay in the game and react flexibly to new developments. In short, they boost resilience.
In order to better exploit the potential of networks and make it easier and more efficient to set up funding alliances in future, we are hosting a webinar to provide them a platform using examples from organisations that have experienced it all first-hand. StiftungSchweiz is also using the new network module to reduce the effort involved in coordination and is developing a framework with processes, tools and templates to facilitate the establishment of funding alliances.
Lukas Hupfer is an organisational consultant at Con·Sense. As the former head of foraus, Switzerland’s largest think tank on foreign policy, he galvanised the philanthropic sector with a consortium of foundations and initiatives on diversity, volunteering and impact. His expertise in strategy and organisational development as well as his extensive network and cooperation with politicians and authorities underscore his versatile skills.
aboutconsense.ch
eduLABs across Switzerland
eduLABs by Creative Kids foster young people’s future-oriented skills in a targeted way, with additional locations now set to spread the programme to new regions across Switzerland. In the network, funding organisations and interested parties assist with the expansion and development of these innovation laboratories.
AlgorithmWatch CH
AlgorithmWatch CH is committed to ensuring that algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI) strengthen justice, human rights, democracy and sustainability instead of weakening them. From research and advocacy to campaigning and PR work, the organisation has garnered a tremendous response. We take on further development in the network and invite funding organisations to share their ideas.
Alliance F
Alliance F, which represents women’s voices in Swiss politics, campaigns on a non-partisan basis for concrete improvements in work-life balance, economic security and protection against violence. By promoting women in political office, we are striving for a more representative democracy. In this network, we develop prospects for reinforcing our organisation long-term.
Discuss it
Discuss it seeks to increase young people’s interest and participation in Swiss democracy and favours an approach to political education based on peer forums and strong school partnerships. This network is about public recognition and sustainable political education based on young people’s voluntary involvement.
foraus
foraus is Switzerland’s only participative think tank on foreign policy. As a dynamic grassroots community of young people, foraus shapes foreign policy, influences the way policy is made, promotes new voices and makes them heard – both within Switzerland and internationally. foraus stands for evidence-based and high-quality content with constructive policy recommendations and thought-provoking events.
‘Funding alliances’ network at stiftungschweiz.ch
What happens if a new approach solves the problem at hand and a project needs to be scaled up? In this network, we develop methodological principles and answers to the core question of follow-up financing.
Webinar: ‘Implementing funding alliances effectively’ 13 February 2024, 4–5 pm
Funding alliances are becoming increasingly important as a foundation for sustainable initiatives. But how to implement them successfully in practice? In a webinar co-hosted by Con·Sense and StiftungSchweiz, we will delve into case studies and best practices, offer tangible assistance and open up the space for a lively discussion.
