The report advises national funders on how to maximize their chances of success.

Key actions include:

· Familiarize yourself with the local funding community
· Use basic courtesy
· Minimize power imbalances
· Approach funders by way of the most neutral convener possible
· Bring resources to the table
· Become part of the local fabric
· Allow room for local input
· Make sustainability a priority
· State your expectations
· Develop the partnership over time

ABAG's recommendations are based on conversations with local funders in the Greater Baltimore region, national funders with initiatives to engage local philanthropies, the staff of funder collaboratives whose partners include local and national funders, and the staff of Regional Associations of Grantmakers colleagues.

The report, which is being featured as part of the Ford Foundation's GrantCraft series (www.grantcraft.org) was prepared by ABAG at the request of the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The Annie E. Casey Foundation sought guidance from peers in support of its Making Connections initiative so that staff might better reach out to and collaborate with local funders in those communities where the Foundation had made a ten-year commitment.

"National and local funders have a lot to offer one another and to our communities" said Betsy Nelson, ABAG Executive Director. "We hope that these ‘do's and don'ts' provide practical guidance to further such relationships and deepen the impact of philanthropic investments and we welcome input from other practitioners familiar with partnerships between national and local philanthropies."

Download the report.