As grantmakers, it can be daunting to figure out how to work in synch with, and not just parallel to, government agencies or businesses. With different styles, language, imperatives, accountability, and methods, identifying the right levers for cooperative effort can be difficult. Finding common ground across the sectors can lead to powerful results. As the economic downturn constrains resources on all sides, finding ways to make these joint efforts work is more important than ever. The federal government has signaled its interest in fostering this kind of cooperation. This session will highlight successful collaborations between sectors and engage attendees in a discussion about how to initiate and cultivate these partnerships.

GEO is a vibrant community of more than 350 grantmakers focused on supporting nonprofit effectiveness through investments in leadership, learning, appropriate financial structures and stakeholder engagement. In this session, participants will learn more about GEO's philosophy on smarter grantmaking and GEO's agenda for change. Through networking and small-group conversations, participants will meet like-minded peers and explore questions and challenges together. While this session is designed with new GEO members or first-time conference attendees in mind, anyone is welcome to come to meet new colleagues and dig deeper on issues related to smarter grantmaking. Available to download: "Getting to Know the GEO Community" (Pre-session. Advance registration required.)

Social networking creates new ways for like minded individuals to connect and inform one another. Advocacy networking takes this one step further connecting likely and, most crucially, unlikely allies to push a strategy further, creating exciting shifts in how coalitions are built, power is distributed and decisions are made. Grantmakers who better understand advocacy networking theory can improve their grantmaking practices and more confidently adopt and fund social media innovations. Advocacy network expert Marty Kearns will demonstrate how talented leaders are harnessing the power of networks to make real change in communities traditionally marginalized or left out of key policy decision making. We will use The Story of Stuff as a case study to demonstrate how the debut of this film on the internet and the programs that followed it are generating opportunities to engage, educate and mobilize people in unique and powerful ways.

It is recommended that you view, http://www.storyofstuff.com prior to attending the session.

Increased empathy and understanding can help close the distance between grantmakers and grantees, strengthen program quality and maximize bottom-line results. When grantmaking staff see the world through other people's eyes, they forge deeper community connections, identify new opportunities to advance their missions and acquire the courage to take risks. Dev Patnaik, author of "Wired to Care", will offer innovative ideas for how grantmakers can build empathy for the communities they serve, bring stakeholders into the center of their work and shape more effective collaborations.

Effective nonprofit organizations deserve flexible funding and considerable autonomy to develop and implement their plans. But these nonprofits often depend on grantmakers that have their own passions, concerns and ideas. When is it appropriate for a grantmaker to be involved in a grantee's strategy, theory of change and measures of impact; and when should a grantmaker stand back? This session will engage the audience and panelists in a deep conversation exploring how tension is reconciled between the idea of nonprofit autonomy and the realities that justify grantmakers' imposition of restrictions, particularly around assessing impact.