MSI Resources

The Mission Sustainability Initiative (MSI) at Forefront provides holistic resources and support to help nonprofits successfully explore a wide range of approaches to sustained collaboration and strategic partnership. The MSI offers a breadth of resources, including case studies, pro bono support, and events that allow you to convene with fellow leaders committed to building a thriving and agile sector. Review the resources below or schedule a conversation with the MSI Director for guidance in navigating the trove of tools available.

Tools & Guides

Whether you’re just beginning to ponder collaboration or working your way through an integration process, you’re not on your own! These tools and guides are here to help along the way.

Research & Learning

Whether you like to read, watch, or participate, there is no shortage of scholarship about sustained collaboration, and there are ample ways to explore new ideas in partnership strategy.

Metropolitan Chicago Nonprofit Merger Research Project

This study, commissioned by Mission + Strategy Consulting and conducted by Northwestern University, explores how nonprofits can use mergers as effective and powerful tools to achieve their goals, advance their mission, and increase their impact.

Cutting Through the Complexity: A Roadmap for Effective Collaboration

"Collaboration is appealing in concept but challenging in practice." This article by David Ehrlichman, David Sawyer, and Matthew Spence explores the mechanics of successful nonprofit collaboration.

Watch & Learn

The MSI regularly produces webinars and online workshops about a range of collaboration topics. Recordings of these programs are available on demand.
Preparing for Collaboration (2024)
Resource Roundtable (2024)
Back-Office Collaboration Models: Finance & HR (2024)
Advancing Strategy Through Partnership (2023)
Is Your Organization Ready to Partner and Find a Match? (2021)
Engaging Boards in Setting an Organization's Strategic Direction (2020)
Building Collaboration Among Highly Diverse Racialized Minorities (2020)
You Said You Wanted to Partner. Now What? (2020 Nonprofit Utopia Podcast)
Tips, Truths, and Takeaways about Organizational Culture (2020)
Practical Resources for Strategic Partnerships (2018)

Ongoing Programming

Upcoming MSI programs can be found on Forefront's Events Calendar, which is also a treasure trove of other webinars and workshops about nonprofit management.

Nonprofit Leadership Resources

This ever-evolving collection of articles, books, podcasts, reports, trainings, and contacts is curated to help support nonprofit leaders in making change at their organizations. This resource is focused on leadership, change theory, forward thinking, and transparency, all of which are core elements of strategic partnership exploration.

Unlocking the Power of Sustained Collaboration

This study, commissioned by the Sustained Collaboration Network and conducted by Dr. Michelle Shumate of Social Impact Network Consulting, explores 45 sustained collaborations and provides insight about partnership exploration for nonprofit leaders and consultants.

Nurturing Nonprofit Collaborations

This report, commissioned by the Sustained Collaboration Network and conducted by Dr. Michelle Shumate of Social Impact Network Consulting, provides guidance and examples for foundations and other grantmakers interested in supporting more effective collaborations among social impact organizations.

Local Case Studies

Nonprofit collaborations in Illinois abound! Explore some of their stories.
Aspire (merger)
Community Partners for Affordable Housing (merger)
Full Spectrum Features (merger exploration)
One Voice for Arts (coalition / joint venture)
Outreach House (merger)
Rebuilding Exchange (merger)

National Case Studies

Nonprofits across the country are working together to build strong resilient business models. The Sustained Collaboration Network has a treasure trove of stories to share.

Technical Assistance Programming

The MSI Director will create customized workshops and programs for cohorts of nonprofits. If you're a funder looking for technical assistance programming for grantees or an association seeking new ways to support members, reach out to [email protected]

Connections to Services

Illinois has a deep bench of advisors, attorneys, and others who can guide collaborators on the path to thriving partnerships.

Paid Services

Collaboration Consultants

To help organizations find the right support as they explore collaboration, the MSI has compiled a list of qualified consultants with expertise in various areas related to strategic partnerships. The MSI Advisory Committee has reviewed the skills and experiences and checked references for the consultants on this list.

Converge Consulting

Back office collaboration is a powerful tool for maximizing impact. Converge Consulting is a social enterprise owned and managed by Forefront that delivers financial, accounting, and administrative solutions to nonprofits and foundations so that they can focus on their mission.

Fiscal Sponsorship

Through Fiscal Sponsorship and Fiscal Agency, Forefront provides administrative support and 501(c)3 status to projects, initiatives, collectives, and nonprofits.
Fiscal Sponsorship Inquiry

National Back Office Cooperative

The Back Office Cooperative improves performance of nonprofits by increasing buying power, delivering expert expense management services, and providing an environment for sharing best practices.

National Services

Sustained Collaboration Network

The Mission Sustainability Initiative serves organizations across Illinois, and the MSI is part of a network of similar initiatives across the country. The Sustained Collaboration Network can connect nonprofits outside Illinois with support in their area.

Pro Bono Services

Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights

Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights will help potential partners find pro bono legal support.
Legal Request Inquiry Form

Lawyers for the Creative Arts

Lawyers for the Creative Arts supports artists and arts organizations in Illinois through pro bono legal assistance, free and low-cost educational programs, a weekly helpline, and more.
Legal Assistance Application

Turnaround Management Association (TMA) Chicago/Midwest

Members of the TMA offer legal, financial, and other consulting services at no charge to nonprofits. Services may include supporting nonprofits with general PR assistance and with creating case studies around partnership exploration and implementation.
Pro Bono Application

Compass Pro Bono

Compass Pro Bono connects nonprofits with local business professionals to empower thriving, equitable, resilient communities by providing pro bono business consulting support and board matching services.
Pro Bono Services

Peer Skill Share

Forefront's Peer Skill Share program connects collaborating nonprofit leaders with peers who have partnership experience to share. Peer Skill Shares on a range of topics are available to Forefront members, and connections about collaboration are available at no cost to all Illinois-based nonprofits.
Peer Skill Share Request Form
Select "Partnerships & Collaboration (MSI)" from the Skills Requesting menu.

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