PARTNERSHIPS WITH RESULTS: UNDERSTANDING WHAT MAKES A GOOD COMMUNITY BENEFIT ORGANIZATION DON R. SIMMONS, PH.D.

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PARTNERSHIPS ARE GOOD They multiply the reach of your church They provide opportunities that the Church could/should not do alone They provide good stewardship of resources They expose people to needs in the community They position the Church as a serving organization

NOT ALL PARTNERSHIPS ARE HEALTHY They place the resources of the Church at risk (people and $) They endanger the credibility and reputation of the Church and its mission They may be unequal in responsibility and accountability They may damage capacity by creating dependency They may not yield measurable results They may not be sustainable

ASSUME

WHAT A CHURCH SHOULD SEEK IN A HEALTHY PARTNERSHIP Is the Organization Legal? Minimal 501(C)3 Designation Letter

WHAT A CHURCH SHOULD SEEK IN A HEALTHY PARTNERSHIP Is the Organization Legal? Minimal 501(C)3 Designation Letter Recently reviewed By-laws Functioning Board of Directors Financially Viable

VET AND VERIFY Check out the organization of Guidestar Better Business Bureau State Attorney General United Way Optimal Webpage 501(C)3 designation letter, EIN Annual Report Recent IRS form 990 Board of Directors List Names, address, professions Recent board meeting minutes Recently Audited Financial Statement (RAFS)

Transparency.

IS THE ORGANIZATION FINANCIALLY VIABLE? RAFS At least 50% of income derived LOCALLY Reasonable “mix “ of income sources

Giving USA Foundation The Center on Philanthropy at University of IndianaThe Center on Philanthropy at University of Indiana

IS THE ORGANIZATION FINANCIALLY VIABLE? RAFS At least 50% of income derived LOCALLY Reasonable “mix “ of income sources Do their fundraising practices conform to the AFP Code of Ethics?

IS THE ORGANIZATION FINANCIALLY VIABLE? RAFS At least 50% of income derived LOCALLY Reasonable “mix “ of income sources Do their fundraising practices conform to the AFP Code of Ethics? Do they provide their funders with the “Donor Bill of Rights”?

IS THE ORGANIZATION FINANCIALLY VIABLE? RAFS At least 50% of income derived LOCALLY Reasonable “mix “ of income sources Do their fundraising practices conform to the AFP Code of Ethics? Do they provide their funders with the “Donor Bill of Rights”?

IS THE ORGANIZATION FUNCTIONAL? Do they possess a Strategic Plan? Is your Partnership in it? Does the organization employ ethical professional/credentialed leaders? Are they doing what their MISSION and VISION statements say they are doing? Is there REAL EVIDENCE of their service? Can you identify satisfied clients? Do they have a MEASURABLE impact? Can they prove it?

IS THE ORGANIZATION VOLUNTEER FRIENDLY?

Do they have credentialed leadership? CVA CVHA CAN Do they have a designated person on staff (paid or unpaid) responsible for Volunteer success? Does the organization provide TAFERR for all unpaid staff? Do they work with the Church to ensure that TAFERR is in place for each person? Do they TRACK* volunteer involvement? Do they provide your church with their tracking documents?

TRACKING, RECORDING, REPORTING * Does your church Database enable you to identify WHO is serving WHERE and WHEN, doing WHAT at any given time?

IS THE ORGANIZATION SAFE? Do they provide LIABILITY insurance for persons volunteering with their organization? Is it adequate for the number of persons serving? Do they have DIRECTORS’ and OFFICERS’ insurance in force? Is there a documented agreement on liability?

SAFETY Does the organization provide SEXUAL HARASSMENT training on a consistent basis? Have all PAID staff of the organization been subject to BACKGROUND checks, screening and Sexual Harassment training? Does the organization have specific training and policies regarding safety and “due care” for “vulnerable populations”, i.e., Persons under 18, persons over 65, persons w/ disabilities, persons w/ substance abuse issues?

SAFETY Does the organization provide enough STAFF to provide adequate SAFETY training and OVERSIGHT? Does the organization have an established “non-discrimination” policy in place? Will your church need to adhere to the policy? Does the organization adhere to ADA Guidelines? Does the organization value diversity? Does it possess a “Diversity Statement”?

CLOSING THOUGHTS 1.For the safety of your church and the credibility of the Mission, ASK QUESTIONS and EXPECT Documented Responses! 2.Select a FEW strategic partners rather than multiple partners that are not fully vetted. 3.If your church views a particular organization as a STRATEGIC POTENTIAL Partnership, work with the Organizational Leadership to MOVE them toward meeting YOUR Criteria. 4.Be a “capacity-builder” Church.

RESOURCES