Congreso: Building Nonprofit Partnerships and Determining Their Financial Costs

Abstract

Summary

The social innovation surrounding Philadelphia nonprofit Congreso de Latinos Unidos relates to its new strategic paradigm of partnerships. By creating partnerships defined by a targeted goal, a philosophy that client outcomes are valued over organizational goals, and a well-articulated shared governance and financial structure, Congreso has defined a model for partnerships among nonprofits that creates higher-impact social change. This model is described in a case study format by analyzing the Harcum College, I-LEAD, and Congreso partnership. The Harcum at Congreso program targets those who traditionally do not enroll in higher education, such as impoverished or minority individuals, and redefines the model based on the students’ needs.

The partnership model works for three reasons: (1) each partner focuses on its individual strengths to collectively design and implement a program with clear targets that help ameliorate the barriers related to student enrollment, (2) all partners share governance authority and accountability, and (3) partners’ financial costs are shared and built within the expected revenue projections. The innovative formation and implementation of this partnership can be used as a successful model for other organizations wishing to partner in order to increase their client impact.