Using the Foundation Centers Nonprofit Collaboration Database select three types of collaborations that operate in different policy areas (i.e. youth services, social or mental health services, community development etc). Read the attached description of the collaboration and do background research if necessary (highly encouraged). Provide a brief description of the collaboration so that someone who does not know about these three collaborations (i.e. me) can have a good understanding of their purpose and who is involved in them. Once you have provided this description, address the following questions listed below?
Please note that you should ground your analysis in concepts covered in networks and partnerships section of the course although topics pertaining to contracting may also be appropriate.
1. What are the similarities you observe across all three types of collaborations you have
selected in terms of structure of and/or mechanisms of collaboration employed in these examples? These similarities could be best practices identified in readings and lecture materials but also shared weaknesses.
2. What are the differences you observe across all three types of collaborations you have selected in terms of structure of and/or mechanisms of collaboration employed in these examples? Are these differences meaningful (i.e. could one translate a practice present in one collaboration into the others) and important (the adoption of the practice might significant affect collaborative performance)?
3. For this last question, give an assessment of the role of collaboration as a means of addressing complex policy problems using the cases you have selected and concepts from course readings to ground your analysis. In what situations are collaborations better than traditional hierarchical organizations at addressing these problems and in what situations are they a less desirable form of organizing?
