The Collaborative Effect:
A first-of-its-kind, grantee-centered study on what makes collaborative funds impactful
Collaborative funds are reshaping philanthropy — but how do they work for the organizations they’re created to support? The Collaborative Effect is the most comprehensive analysis to date of grantee experiences with mid-sized collaborative funds across the United States. Led by ViaNova, Redstone Strategy Group, and Philanthropy Together, with support from the Hewlett Foundation, the study lifts up grantee voices to illuminate what makes collaboratives build trust, shift power, and deliver impact far beyond their size.
Want to translate this research into your work?
We’ve developed two actionable toolkits, one for funders and donors of collaboratives and the other for leadership and staff of collaborative funds. Use the indicators and learning questions to strengthen your practice.
Thank you to the generous support of
William and Flora Hewlett Foundation’s Effective Philanthropy Group
Watch the launch webinar
Hear more from the report co-authors about all the key findings and two grantees about their perspectives.
Who participated in the study?
- 647+ grantee survey responses, benchmarked against CEP’s dataset of 60,000+ responses
- 22 U.S. based collaborative funds moving $1-40M/annually, working across diverse issues, geographies, and approaches
- 4 grantee focus groups and 2 interviews
- 8 in-depth case studies
Why This Research Matters
Collaborative funds are growing quickly across philanthropy. This study helps funders, practitioners, and grantees understand:
- How collaboratives truly function in practice, not in theory
- What grantees say they need most from collaborative partners
- How funders can assess and strengthen their collaborative models
- Practical guidance for designing collaboratives rooted in trust, equity, and resilience
- A clearer path toward philanthropy that centers the communities closest to the work
About the Research Team
This project is a collaboration between:
Philanthropy Together is a global field catalyst elevating the power and importance of collective and collaborative giving through research, storytelling, programming, convenings, and advocacy. Our mission is to democratize and diversify philanthropy by growing and strengthening models where donors come together for greater impact—from giving circles and collaborative funds to nonprofit-led circles, women’s funds, and more. Learn more at philanthropytogether.org.
Redstone Strategy, a division of Vital Impact, empowers philanthropists and changemakers to solve society’s most complex challenges. We combine deep sector expertise with human-centered, data-driven methodologies to deliver customized solutions that create lasting impact. Learn more at redstonestrategy.com.
ViaNova partners with philanthropists to unlock their potential and turn their visions for a better world into lasting impact. We are a philanthropic advisory firm that specializes in supporting individuals and families in their giving and in managing collaboratives and grant-making initiatives that create long-term change. Learn more at https://teamvianova.com.