Pictured: CLASP at work. From left to right: Charlie Bishop, Manatee County, Rob Perry, City of Bradenton, Courtney DePol, Manatee County, Sharon Hillstrom, EDC, Jeff Burton, CRA, Kim Daglish, Manatee Chamber, Gene Brown, City Mayor and Veronica Thames.

As we address the challenges facing those in need in our communities, we find that nonprofits, businesses and governments are most effective when we work together.

These public-private partnerships don’t form overnight. They require time, commitment, and everyone at the table. After nearly two years as Manatee Community Foundation’s CEO, I reflect on four keys to success I have witnessed at the core of successful collaboration.

1. Trust: Strong, trustworthy relationships allow us to “work at the speed of trust.” Building trust takes intention, transparency and communication.Assuming best intentions and coming from a place of curiosity are essential. The payoff: Fresh ideas and candid feedback from people with different perspectives, which power up initiatives to move faster.

A powerful example of this trust in action is the emerging Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) group for Manatee County. Together with Manatee County Government Commissioners and Staff, United Way Suncoast, and Bishop Parker Foundation, we are preparing to respond more effectively to future disasters by investing in relationships and plans - now.

2. Time: Investing time to build relationships is essential. Foundations have a duty to steward financial assets to amplify the impact of donors, and we also have the duty to influence community assets by informing, educating, and advocating for our community’s needs.

I am grateful to our County and City Commissioners who have spent time with me discussing our community’s needs and working together to explore solutions to complex problems.

The Bradenton Riverwalk in Bradenton is a testament to long-term vision and sustained effort: years of planning, coordination and public-private support. It wouldn’t have been possible without government and foundation funding, and Realize Bradenton helped make it a reality.

As another example, MCF co-invested and is working alongside Mayor Gene Brown and the City of Bradenton Commissioners, The Knight Foundation, and the Manatee Education Foundation to invest in City Park, which will provide education, childcare, sports and enjoyment for all.

3. Private support: Government can’t go it alone in solving community problems. Companies, nonprofits, and individuals all need to lend a hand.

Manatee's Pet Resource Center is an example of how private funding can help turn an idea into reality. The facility will proactively support pet health, while supplying care that can reduce pet surrenders due to financial hardship. Private support from MCF and individuals played a significant role in allowing this Manatee County Government project to break ground, helping to cover the cost of veterinary equipment and technology.

4. Flexibility: To succeed, we must be nimble, flexible and opportunistic. Course-correcting is often a constant, and it’s best to keep preconceived notions at the door. It’s important to understand that “failing forward” is part of the process, and that not all Community Initiatives that go through R&D will become a reality.

This is even more important when an effort is getting started. When Manatee Community Foundation first convened CLASP (Community Leaders Aligning Strategies and Partnerships), our challenge was to work towards aligning efforts across sectors. The effort includes everyone from the Manatee Chamber of Commerce and Bradenton Area EDC to the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, the Mayor, County Administrator, CRA, and Bishop Parker Foundation.

Certainly, there are times when people involved in these collaborations get frustrated--whether it’s because we’re having trouble finding common ground on a topic, or because we are finding that an initiative is taking longer than we would like to get off the ground.

But this is part of the process. After all, it is only through discomfort that we grow. And at Manatee Community Foundation, we remain committed to cultivating the trust, time, support, and flexibility needed to shape a stronger community and achieve greater things, together.

Veronica Thames is CEO of the Manatee Community Foundation, which has given over $66 million to our communities by working with nonprofit partners that improve the quality of life for people and animals in Manatee County.

Pictured: CLASP at work. From left to right: Charlie Bishop, Manatee County, Rob Perry, City of Bradenton, Courtney DePol, Manatee County, Sharon Hillstrom, EDC, Jeff Burton, CRA, Kim Daglish, Manatee Chamber, Gene Brown, City Mayor and Veronica Thames.