When public schools and non-profits were facing deep budget cuts, and non-profits were losing longtime supporters due to the crisis in 2008 and now with Covid-19, our community needs to come together to support the organizations who have even more individuals that need their services. We start individually and become exponentially more effective when we work together. We will accomplish so much more through collaboration.
Technology, for all of its benefits, has placed most of us in silos. People can lose touch with others in their broader community. We need to get people out of these silos and work side by side with a diverse group of neighbors who have the same love of community and the same hopes and dreams for their children.
Collaboration is also a GIFT Grant requirement. We consider it a growth goal and monitor each GIFT participant’s engagement within the community. It is important to allow organizations to have room to build these partnerships; we are here to strengthen their efforts not define them. Below are a few examples of collaboration that have been listed in GIFT Grant Applications.
COMMUNITY FEEDBACK
“After receiving our first grant from Community Knights, the grant committee challenged us to extend ourselves to non-profit organizations outside of the school system. We are currently partnering with the Virginia Peninsula Food Bank, doing a food drive to give back to our community. Our Passage Music Boosters Executive Board is also currently searching for other opportunities for us to team up with non-profit organizations that benefit our community.”
Passage Middle School, Newport News Virginia
Intentional Innovation, Newport News Virginia
Youth Volunteer Corp, Newport News Virginia
Collaboration is Key
BUILDING ON SUCCESS
Collaboration is truly the key to a thriving community. We are all interconnected. Our goal is to create an environment where non-profits see one another as partners serving the entire community, not competitors fighting over scarce resources. At some point every member of our community will be in need of services, will be vulnerable. We all need each other.
DEVELOPMENT
Within the GIFT Program we look for continued growth in the area of Collaboration. We feel it is important that we let each organization find their own path in this area. It is an expression of both strengths and needs within their neighborhood. We can provide ideas, but true collaboration and partnership is a two way street and based on a foundation of trust. This is built during each interaction we have with one another. The COACH Program provides another opportunity for us to collaborate directly with our partners in the non-profit and public school community as we work to provide support and opportunities for individuals with intellectual & developmental disabilities to find ways to give back to their community through volunteering.
