Stronger Together 2010

I have some exciting news!  For a few months now, a group of funders have been talking about how we can better serve our charity partners.  So often we urge organizations to work together, to collaborate, to leverage each others networks and strengths for a common purpose.  But as funders, we’ve typically worked in isolation from one another, and sometimes, it must be said, at cross-purposes.

So eight of us (seven foundations and one couple) have joined together for Stronger Together 2010.  Here is the text of the announcement below:

Stronger Together 2010 is a collaborative granting initiative of eight Canadian faith-based funders. We value the work that Christian-inspired charities accomplish in Canada and around the world and have gathered together to ensure these organizations are able to successfully weather current economic challenges and emerge stronger in years to come.

Together, we have committed to grant up to $1 million in 2010 towards helping these charities build their organizational strength through projects that address specific needs and achieve defined outcomes.  Canadian Christian charities are invited to apply for grant funding to support projects that will specifically and measurably grow their organizational strength.

Grant applications should communicate how the proposed short-term project improves the charity’s performance and how this increased organizational strength will benefit those who are ultimately served by the charity.

The synergies created through funders working together allow us to offer a web-based application system for grants which will be simultaneously considered by eight granting partners located in cities across Canada. This initiative will save charities money, time, and energy. It will also broaden a charity’s audience, introducing potential donors and innovative charities to each other.

Eligible charities are invited to submit applications between January 2, 2010 and midnight (EST) February 28, 2010. Following a thoughtful process of due diligence, granting decisions will be made in the late spring, with announcements of successful applicants on June 15, 2010.

We encourage all Canadian charities to think strategically about what it will take to grow their organizational strength and to apply to Stronger Together 2010. We look forward to working and growing together with you in this process.

For more information and to apply, visit the Stronger Together 2010 website at www.strongertogether2010.ca.

The funders gathering together for this initiative are:  Bridgeway Foundation, Caritate Foundation, Catalyst Foundation, Charis Foundation, John and Rebecca Horwood, Legacy Foundation of Canada (Family Hope Fund), Legacy Foundation of Canada (Legacy Trust), and Maranatha Foundation.