What has funder collaboration ever done for me? Well, it got me a job!
Evaluation Support Scotland (ESS) works with the third sector and funders so they can measure and explain their impact and use learning to improve practice and inform policy.
ESS was set up by a group of funders working together. We emerged from this collaboration as an independent charity but it all started with a few people in different funders who saw a problem they couldn’t solve on their own – the need for charities and funders to get better at evaluation – and were willing to work together to solve it.
That is what collaboration is all about.
17 years later, ESS is still here and (according to our own evaluation!) doing useful work. As ESS’s founding director, I’ve been fortunate to see many funder collaborations over the years. Here are some insights.
Collaboration improves process
Harmonising Reporting was produced by the Scotland Funders’ Forum and ESS to make reporting to funders less burdensome and more useful for funders and charities. While funders continue to have different reporting forms, Harmonising Reporting led to joined-up messages about what matters in reporting and how to do it well. That means less confusion and time-wasting for funders and funded organisations.
Harmonising Reporting has also given new funders good practice to turn to, rather than reinventing the wheel. It has even influenced the Scottish Charity Regulator guidance on charity reporting generally.
Collaboration builds funder skills and knowledge
ESS’s Funder Learning Programme of events, training and resources for funders, funded by The Robertson Trust, ran from 2014-18. Most participating funders learnt something new to help them do their job better and benefitted from collective problem solving. For junior staff, this was often their only chance to share experiences with other funders.
We produced loads of resources so the collective wisdom of funders continues to benefit others. Popular ones include:
- Getting the best from external evaluations – principles for funders
- Walking the Talk – a resource from a funder learning set about funders’ role doing and evaluating policy influence
I have seen the key role independent funders play collaborating with Government to distribute public funds, improve funding practice and use learning from funded work to improve policy
Collaboration makes it easier for funders to understand need
The Scottish Third Sector Tracker study is a current collaboration led by SCVO. It is longitudinal research about the impact of the pandemic – and now the economic crisis – on the third sector. Several funders pay for the research and they also collaborate in its design and in sharing the findings. Funders will continue to have their own programmes to respond to crises but this project is a great example how they can create knowledge about need together.
Collaboration can influence public policy
The Scottish Government is a key funder and our Principles for Positive Partnership work aims to improve those funding relationships. And I have seen the key role independent funders such as Corra Foundation and Inspiring Scotland play collaborating with Government to distribute public funds, improve funding practice and use learning from grant-funded work to improve policy. This benefits us all.
So collaboration is cool! It builds skills, insights and impact.
And it’s given me a fabulous job. Long may it continue!
Inspired to collaborate?
Explore the Hub to find collaboration opportunities that relate to your interests as a funder.
