The Power of Partnership
In a study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, researchers asked participants to stand at the base of a steep hill and estimate how tough it would be to climb. Those standing with a friend gauged the ascent to be less steep compared with those who were alone. The study also found that the longer the participants had known their friends, the more gentle they estimated the incline to be.
What does this have to do with SVP Portland? Walking alongside our Community Partners is core to what we do. Every day, our staff and Partners work hand-in-hand with Community Partners on programs and initiatives that drive our goal forward. Community Partners work on the ground and in the community to make real, actionable changes that impact the lives of children and families in our region. But, sometimes, we all need a little help. That’s where our partnerships come in. We’re able to amplify their work, bridge the gap to needed skill sets, provide additional support as they grow their impact, and make transformative change in our community. In other words, we are the friends climbing the hill alongside our Community Partners. And they are ours, as they help us to understand root issues as well as community-driven solutions.
Our partnerships are not fleeting. We nurture partnerships over multiple years, building trust and mutual respect, collaborating, and engaging in open and honest communication.
We are in our 11th year of Partnership with Latino Network, which is an example of our deep commitment to the changemakers we support. “The SVP team always heard us, they worked to problem solve, they were adaptive, and they recalibrated. And I’m not saying sometimes or most times, I’m saying it was every time,” reflected Carmen Rubio, former Executive Director of Latino Network. “This is a truly responsive model for capacity building that redefines the traditional funder/nonprofit relationship.”
Our newest Community Partner, Hillsboro-based Community Action, already sees the benefit of partnership with SVP and appreciates the way our Partners show up. “I am thrilled to be partnering with SVP,” says Karen Henkemeyer, Community Action Director of Family Stability. “I wholeheartedly enjoy working with the team. They are encouraging, thought-provoking, and supportive, and I always leave meetings feeling energized about what is possible.”
The focus for our Community Partners is serving kids and families. Ours is collaborating with them, trusting their proximity to the needs and solutions of their communities, and offering our professional skills and networks. SVP Partners contribute their skills, money, and influence to build the operational capacity, scale of impact, and overall resilience of local nonprofits and initiatives. But, perhaps their most powerful impact is climbing the steep hill of systemic change together.
