Collaboration

It can be easy to take root in a silo. We have deadlines. People expect projects from us. And so we forge ahead, sometimes without engaging others.

But often it is collaboration that creates resource, agency and a larger perspective on the work we do. That collaboration can look a bunch of different ways. But lately we’ve noticed a trend of public support that has been inspiring and we wanted to share.

Portland’s LGBTQ nonprofit leadership has come together to show a really great allegiance to supporting each other.

It hasn’t necessarily been about grants or fundraising or programming.

It’s been about showing up for each other. It’s been about the Executive Directors and key leadership of these organizations supporting one another publicly at each other’s events. This spring they all attended one another’s fundraising events to show their support of the work each of them do to move the community as a whole forward. Over a dozen leaders were routinely seen together showing up in solidarity, in support and in collaboration. At each of those events, those leaders in attendance were recognized from the stage by the organization hosting the event.

Yes, they were thanked for all that they do even when it wasn’t their event.

The result?

For donors—many of whom support multiple organizations in the group—it seemed to create a feeling of cohesive leadership across organizations. Of collaboration and partnership. It showed that we’re all in this work together.

Instead of segmenting the audience, they created an all ships rise together sentiment that allowed avid LGBTQ supporters to see all of these organizations as vital to the health of the community and that the leaders in the movement were working together for the greater good.

We felt that there was a cool lesson to be learned here and we commend those leaders who saw the vision and reached out to each other in collaboration. There seemed to be great value in this cohesive show of support and it could be an easy way for you to grow your own organization. First, invite collaborators into your work and recognize them when they come out to support. It’s a handshake that can go a long way when you want to engage those organizations in a bigger collaboration and can extend the reach of your work in the future.

Photo by Terri McKee