Home > Network Stories > Environmental Funders Network

Environmental Funders Network

WHY IT STARTED

Environmental Funders Network (EFN) was initiated by one person in the fundraising world who had heard similar concerns from a variety of foundations: the need to address duplication of services by nonprofits; the desire to collaborate with other funders; and interest in learning more about the environmental challenges in Maine. To address these concerns this person reached out to a number of other funders and recognized that there was a real interest in trying to work together to create greater impact.

WHO IS INVOLVED

The key players in the network include Horizon Foundation, the Betterment Fund, Elmina B. Sewall Foundation, Jane’s Trust, Maine Philanthropy Center, Oak Foundation, Orchard Foundation, Maine Community Foundation, Lennox Foundation and Leonard C. & Mildred F. Ferguson Foundation. These funders work to identify and inspire others to get involved as well as procure funding for network-generated activities.

HOW THEY WORK TOGETHER

The dedication and leadership of the network’s steering committee is the force behind the success of this network. They operate collegially to build the consensus needed for dynamic growth. This allows for transparency and candid communication, which are fundamental values of the network.

Operations within the Network have evolved to include an advisory committee, which is tasked with strategic decisions around the network’s grantmaking, and a design team which acts as the fundraising arm for programs. A part-time staff member acts as the clearinghouse for information, assuring that everyone receives shared information and keeps the momentum going. A symbol of their dedication, each member of the steering committee makes a financial contribution to the network to collaboratively fund this staff member.

CHALLENGES

In the beginning the network was challenged with creating a workable pace for the group. A few members were eager to start funding together right away but others wanted to hold off until the group had become more comfortable with each other. By working together to convene educational meetings for other funders the group started to develop their trust for one another. In retrospect waiting for the group to gel turned out to be a crucial step towards the commitment to collaboratively fund the Quality of Place Initiative.

While network members have been deeply engaged in funding its activities and have had success in garnering support from other funders, the group has been challenged to consistently raise the multi-year commitments it feels are needed to sustain these projects. Part of this stems from the complexity of the Quality of Place concept and also the fact that fundraising is a volunteer effort and many network members are deeply engaged in numerous other activities.

PROGRESS TOWARDS GOAL

While there have been aspects of collaborative funding since the establishment of the network, their biggest venture to date has been the creation of the Quality of Place Initiative. This Initiative is designed to advance projects that strengthen the link between the natural and built environments, emphasize public engagement, and recognize the elements required to build and sustain collaborations. In 2009 the network granted over $500K to eight organizations that are actively working on these projects. The Maine Downtown Center’s Green Downtowns was one of the projects funded. This project is designed to: provide more communities with development assistance; enhance local historic preservation activities; and support the development of a multi-use trail system.