Collaboration research

The Arizona-Indiana-Michigan Alliance (AIM) is a strategic collaboration between the Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation (Lodestar Center) at Arizona State University (ASU), the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University (IU), and the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership (Johnson Center) at Grand Valley State University (GVSU). The mission of the AIM Alliance is to work together to unleash new resources and increase understanding of philanthropy across race and cultures. 

In 2008, the AIM Alliance became partners with the Lodestar Foundation on a new initiative called the Collaboration Prize. The Collaboration Prize is designed to inspire cooperation among nonprofit organizations. Recognizing the efficiencies gained from working together, the Prize shines a spotlight on collaborations among two or more nonprofit organizations that each would otherwise provide the same or similar programs or services and compete for clients, financial resources, or staff. 

As part of the AIM Alliance partnership with the Lodestar Foundation, the three Centers are conducting research around many themes of effective nonprofit collaboration. Click the links below to see a sampling of the most recent research findings: 

Click here to download a copy of "The Collaboration 2009 Finalists," (PDF) highlighting the eight outstanding finalists of the inaugural $250,000 Collaboration Prize. Read more about the Collaboration Prize.

Click here to download a copy of "Models of Collaboration," (PDF) outlining eight popular models of collaboration.

Click here to download a copy of the "AIM Board Members' Guide to Partnership Planning," (PDF) which shares 10 key elements critical to the success of any effective partnership.

Click here to download a copy of the article, "Collaboration and Partnerships: A Funder’s Quick Review."