Faith in Partnership: Lessons from the Winning Models of Multi-Sector Collaboration in the 2005 "Partners in Transformation" Awards Program

Publication Date: November 2005

Publisher: Sagamore Institute for Policy Research

Author(s): Amy L. Sherman

Research Area: Social conditions

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

In 2005, a new initiative co-sponsored by FASTEN (Faith and Service Technical Education Network, a collaborative initiative of the Pew Charitable Trusts) and the Points of Light Foundation sought to identify effective models of faith-based, multi-sector collaboration. The “Partners in Transformation” Awards Program offered FBOs the chance to win $5000 cash grants by demonstrating success in tackling social problems through meaningful partnerships with organizations outside the faith community.

The contest was piloted in ten states: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas. Participation in the contest exceeded expectations: 475 FBOs entered (roughly 80 percent were nonprofits and 20 percent were congregations).

Entrants provided information describing their organization (e.g., age, budget size, location) and the program they were submitting for consideration. The application sought information on the number of participants served; number of volunteers deployed; daily workings of the program; and the target audience. It also asked entrants to describe the nature of their collaboration with non-religious organizations, specifying what services/benefits the partner(s) brought to the program. Finally, the application asked entrants to articulate their desired program objectives, the outcomesachieved by the program, and the indicators by which they measured those outcomes.