Non-Profit Outlook Inspires Action: Strengthening Partnerships for Community Impact
At the Non-Profit Outlook on Oct. 30, a record turnout of over 300 attendees heard thoughtful dialogue around the power of tangible partnerships between nonprofit organizations and the private sector.
The discussion, moderated by Joe Daues, Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks, included insights from the following panelists:
- Andrea Brady, Great Southern Bank
- Mary Kromrey, OWN, Inc.
- Kimberly Shinn-Brown of the Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation
- Kevin Weaver, The Warrior’s Journey
Each shared valuable perspectives on how businesses and nonprofits can collaborate to drive impact, align missions, leverage local resources and build relationships for the betterment of the community.
The program overall emphasized the importance of mission alignment, taking calculated risks, the impact of partnerships and offered practical advice for those seeking nonprofit partnerships. The panelists called for attendees to act and engage in community impact by simply asking nonprofits what the business can do for them.
Kromrey spoke on OWN, Inc.’s involvement with Celebrate Springfield, an annual event that aims to help Springfield residents discover community events and programming, remove accessibility barriers and encourage individuals to love the place they call home. This event exists through public, private and philanthropic partnerships, and was created following the 2021 Community Leadership Visit “trip” to Springfield, Mo. Kromrey shared the reason behind OWN, Inc.’s involvement, citing the importance of building futures for their team, fellow owners, partners and the community.
“As a business in this community, we want to support missions that resonate with our current and future owners,” said Kromrey.
The Warrior’s Journey prioritizes their purpose to partner with corporations to amplify the organization’s impact. The Warrior’s Journey works to raise awareness and create preventative resources to help educate those currently serving in the military and veterans. Weaver explained they have leaned into inspiring corporations to spur partnerships, which could look like volunteer resources, funding or professional expertise provided by businesses.
Shinn-Brown mentioned the persisting barriers of the lack of affordable housing and childcare in the Springfield region, and how the Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation partnered with a local developer to construct the Nordic Landing development, an affordable housing location with childcare on-site. According to Shinn-Brown, families are often making housing and employment choices based on childcare, thus this unique partnership has the potential for significant community impact.
“When partners are patient with us, and we help them understand what the hoops are that we have to jump through, these types of partnerships can be a win-win for both of us and ultimately a win-win for the community,” said Shinn-Brown.
Brady suggested nonprofits consider aligning missions when approaching a company for partnerships. Using Great Southern Bank as an example, she said that companies often want to know the impact that nonprofit organizations have on the community and how the partnership is helping to support that community effort. Sharing numbers and stories can help the partnering business feel included in the impact of the nonprofit organization they support.
“We are only as successful as the organizations we serve, so we want to look for those opportunities to help organizations in our community,” said Brady.
