Try This: What Is Our Funder Value-Add?
In my last two posts, I explored why funders should evaluate their portfolios and how to identify structure barriers that prevent grantees from seeking funding. A strong portfolio reflects the role a funder plays in helping grantee organizations succeed.
This raises an important question for program officers:
Why would a strong organization want to be part of our portfolio?
The answer may seem obvious: Funding.
But the strongest funder-grantee relationships shape strategy, absorb risk, convene partners, influence the field, and create the conditions for learning and adaptation.
This month’s Try This activity is designed to help program officers clarify what their organization contributes beyond the check.
Objective:
To help program officers and senior program officers articulate the unique value their foundation brings to grantees and the broader ecosystem.
This activity is ideal for:
- Program officers
- Philanthropy staff responsible for funding portfolio strategy
- Evaluation and learning staff
What you’ll need:
- 90 minutes of uninterrupted time
- Copies of your funding strategy, theory of change, or strategic plan
- Recent grantee feedback (if available)
- Sticky notes or a shared virtual whiteboard
- Flip chart paper or a document for capturing reflections
- Markers for sticky notes and flip chart paper
