Relationships are the future
by Jami Haberl
executive director, Iowa Healthiest State Initiative
Jami Haberl. Photo by Duane Tinkey
The philanthropic environment in Iowa is shifting in large part, on a corporate level. For years, businesses headquartered in the community led the giving efforts throughout the state. These businesses felt the intrinsic value in their philanthropy closely because they were members of our communities. Their children attended our schools, and they worked in our cities; their financial support fueled initiatives, led to development and created opportunities in the communities they were a part of. As a result, the Iowa philanthropic landscape was clear, with familiar faces that invested in their communities because they felt the direct impact of those investments. In recent years, that landscape has shifted.
As businesses in our communities are being bought, reorganized and relocated by larger corporations, often from outside of Iowa, the relationships that keep one organization tied to another can be lost. Without relationships keeping two organizations aligned, the business leaders can disappear from the philanthropic environment. Oftentimes, their focus for charitable efforts can shift to the headquarters of their new parent company. Larger cities and locations outside of Iowa become the priority because Iowa leaders are no longer in control of philanthropic decision making.
Relocation isn’t the only issue that arises. As nonprofits work to engage with these often-larger corporations, communication issues can be challenging. Global and national companies are harder to find common threads with, between the mission of a local nonprofit and the vision of a business with a national or regional footprint. As the vision zooms out for acquired companies, the partnerships will make less sense to those now in control of decision making. Similarly, as once-smaller Iowa-based companies are acquired or merge with companies based outside of Iowa, it becomes harder to maintain relationships in the large, complex and widespread structure where they now operate. With a broader scope and team to account for, the shared beliefs and values the two organizations partnered for in the first place can be lost.
It is also important for the businesses that support the work of local nonprofits to understand their side of the relationship as well. Many nonprofit organizations operate with limited personnel. Critical roles like operations, human resources, finance and marketing are all done by a small team, or sometimes just one person. These crucial aspects of keeping organizations running may not be as enticing as events or projects, but they are required for success. As a result, it’s important that funding models are flexible. Staff is necessary to coordinate all the moving parts of programs in our communities; if funding is limited or short term, it can hinder the ability for organizations to find value in partnering. To get a new project off the ground, there must be belief in its longevity and staying power. The funding behind it is the foundation everything else is built on.
The way forward for nonprofits is in the relationships we maintain. Putting a concerted effort into maintaining multiple close relationships is the best way to keep their influence in our communities. As we begin work with a new partner, we make sure we are acquainted with multiple people within the organization or team, so that if restructuring or turnover occurs, we aren’t starting from scratch. This can be extended to how we interact. Building these relationships with in-person meetings, when possible, and not limiting communications to email is critical. These efforts personify an organization and give meaning and heart to the work partners are supporting.
The philanthropic landscape in Iowa is shifting, and the pressure to ensure it can thrive in the future will rest on the close relationships made between those doing the work, and those who make that work possible.
How do you see philanthropy efforts changing in the next five years?
The future of philanthropy is in relationships. From the large companies down to the small nonprofits you work with, maintaining strong relationships with these organizations will be key. Getting acquainted with multiple people in the organization, building relationships with in-person meetings, providing proven value and offering multiple ways for the giving organization to get involved can help integrate your goals and efforts with theirs. As more previously Iowa-owned companies merge or are acquired by out-of-state companies, these relationships will be critical to keeping our Iowa community needs at the top of mind for those looking to give.