410. Centering Humanity in Funder + Grantee Partnerships - Jon McCoy, CFRE, Becky Endicott, CFRE, Hillary Fulton

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Overview

It’s time to reimagine the funder/nonprofit relationship. We’re putting a flag in the ground to talk about how to evolve relationships and processes and make the grantee/funder relationship as symbiotic, empowering (and simple!) for all. Joining us is Hillary Fulton, Founder and principal of Hopeful Consulting. She’s bringing her expertise from the nearly two decades she spent with one of the country’s largest health funders, the Colorado Health Foundation. We’re talking about how we can work together more seamlessly, how to have more open conversations, and what grantees and funders can both do to reimagine the way we chase impact - together. This is a don’t-miss episode for any nonprofit org looking to strengthen their relationships with funders🤝

💡Learn

How to find value alignment with funders

What’s happening on the inside of foundations
A funder’s perspective on working with nonprofits

Today’s Guest

Hillary Fulton, Founder, Hopeful Consulting

“If we’re doing mental health for community members, there is definitely a connection between the wellbeing of our nonprofit leaders and staff and the ability for them to do their work.”

— Hillary Fulton, Founder, Hopeful Consulting

Episode Transcript

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Episode Highlights

Hillary’s story and journey to where she is today (4:00)
Finding value alignment with funders (7:00)
Where nonprofits can start to find value-aligned funders (12:45)
What’s happening on the inside of foundations? (17:15)
Simple changes to result in more impactful work (24:00)
Hillary’s One Good Thing: Fund the People (30:25)
How to Connect (31:55)

Powerful Quotes

“If we’re doing mental health for community members, there is definitely a connection between the wellbeing of our nonprofit leaders and staff and the ability for them to do their work.” -Hillary

“We got to design together. We started with asking, “What does well-being mean?” - Hillary

“We actually share a lot of interests and values. We need to bring that care, compassion and awareness to the relationship and power dynamics that are there.” -Hillary

“It’s a bigger conversation. It’s about what funding can open and unlock for the staff.” -Jon

“I have been unable to pull apart the human impact and well-being and the ability to have an impact in the field. I don’t think that they are two things, I think they are one thing.” -Hillary

“Nonprofits have their doubts, for good reason, but a lot of the times funders are trying things in a new way and are trying to create that space to generate ideas together. is new and authentic when it happens.” -Hillary

“Pay attention to what is not working in your funder relationships. Think about it with your teams and think about how you might apply that lesson moving forward.” -Hillary

“How can you break the cycle and dynamic that is not working?” -Hillary