MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the Faith Based Partnership Initiative?
The Faith Based Partnership Initiative is an effort to develop collaborative relationships with churches, businesses, civic and community organizations that work to provide holistic solutions to the problems faced by poor and working poor families.  Through a combination of direct services, workshops, and on going technical support, we help frame and facilitate partner relationships that break the cycle of dependence that has plagued many families for generations.

Why Partnerships?
Often well meaning social service and support efforts provide redundant services with conflicting criteria and bureaucratic processes that dehumanize individuals and families in need of support.   Additionally, many of these efforts operate in competition with each other trying to be all things to all people, wasting resources and minimizing the impact of the strengths that other organizations might provide to families in need.  All this works to perpetuate dependence on the system, not empowerment towards socioeconomic independence.   By facilitating collaborative partnerships, we can reduce redundancy, minimize the waste of resources, and maximize the strengths that different organizations bring to individual and family empowerment.

How can my organization become a partner?
We believe that collaboration is a value that must be owned by all the organizations we partner with.  Therefore interested organizations must already have a collaborative relationship established with at least one other organization in the community they are serving. This relationship does not have to be elaborate and formal, but it must have the potential to support the development of a fiscal and programmatic partnership that works together to serve their community.  You and your organization should then provide us a letter of interest.  Your letter should include what you are currently doing to serve your targeted constituency, who you are currently in collaboration with, and what programs or services you would like to develop (or enhance) to serve your targeted constituency.  You will then be contacted to schedule an assessment interview.   If selected, your organization will receive a "Getting Started" informational packet to begin preparation for our involvement.  This information will detail the initial roles & responsibilities that will frame the partnership.  From the beginning it is important to appreciate that this is your Program.  We are here to support you in its development, not to control its development.     
       
Does it cost to be a partner?
Yes. There is a onetime fee of $25.00 which helps cover some of our administrative costs, and also includes a subscription to the FBPI E-Newsletter.   Additionally, we have estimated that it takes between $15 and $25,000 of financial and human resources to develop and establish the foundation of a community and civic organization partnership.   This includes things like filing articles of incorporation, establishing fiscal and organizational policy, defining the scope of services and the roles that each partner will play in providing those services, training of key staff, developing employer relationships, and outreach and promotional activities.  Some organizations already have many of the resources in place or have the personnel to provide many of these services.  Others will begin from scratch.  The resources (financial, human, and otherwise) that you and your existing partners bring from the beginning will determine the actual costs.  Our fee is minimal and will not exceed $2500 no matter how long we are involved with your initiative. The actual fee depends on what and how much we do to help you establish your initiative.  We will also work with your organization to find grants and other sources of funding to support the development of your initiative.