Boundary spanning is the people work behind collaborative philanthropy. It brings funders, nonprofit leaders, community members, and partners together to tackle challenges no one organization can solve alone. But real progress depends on how people work together, especially when priorities, power, and accountability differ across the organizations and communities involved.
Many collaboratives are built to support coalitions, movements, and community-led change. They also make room for nonprofit and community voices in grantmaking decisions. That creates opportunity, but it also calls for leaders who can build trust, find shared purpose, and keep the work moving.
At CCL, we call this boundary spanning: leading across the lines that can divide people and organizations. It’s not about erasing differences. It is about managing them well, building common ground, and finding new ways forward when it matters most for everyone involved.
Join us for 60 minutes to explore practical ways to strengthen your collaborative philanthropy efforts — whether you’re starting a new partnership, joining an existing one, or helping a group regain momentum together.
What You’ll Learn
In this collaborative philanthropy webinar, you’ll learn:
- How to manage differences without losing sight of the shared work from the start
- Ways to build common ground across roles, organizations, and perspectives so partners can act
- How to spot 5 boundaries affecting your collaborative and find a productive path forward together
