1. Partner Identification
The key to a successful partnership begins with identifying the right partners. We continuously assess the landscape of our communities in Greater Washington, looking for the greatest needs and the best organizational partners to address them. This includes developing cross-sector partnerships. We partner with nonprofits, government, business, and philanthropic organizations. There is an art and a science to what we do, and we’ve spent years perfecting our approach to both.
We want our partners to be:
| Strategic | Healthy | Visionary | Leaders |
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Because of the nature of our partner identification process, we do not accept unsolicited applications.
A VPP investment delivers long-term benefits for years to come. It’s a partnership—a mutual commitment to improving outcomes for children and youth.
2. Engagement
We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners. We join their staff meetings. We sit on their boards. We recruit new talent. We map out financial models. We’re on a first-name basis with their leadership team and board. And we ask really hard questions.
Collectively, we bring decades of experience to influencing the most critical areas that determine the success and longevity of any organization:
- Financial modeling
- Leadership development
- Organizational planning and structure
- Program effectiveness
- Talent acquisition
- Goal-setting and outcomes evaluation
Our process helps our partners refine their vision, develop their team, and build their capacity. It’s not easy, and it’s not quick, but we’ve seen it work time and again. Just ask our partners, and they’ll tell you the same thing. From opportunities to outcomes, we walk with our partners every step of the way.
3. Investment
When we invest, we invest in the long-term success of an organization. We execute a disciplined, rigorous investment process with each partner, aimed at building institutional strength and providing the resources needed to grow.
Our investments are:
- 2- to 5-year engagements
- Multimillion-dollar commitments
- Tied to specific performance benchmarks
- Focused on capacity building, operations, and programs
Strong, sustainable organizations bring the best returns in the long run, and the returns we seek are changed lives.
4. Advising
We bring extensive content and regional knowledge to the table, along with wide-ranging networks of influencers and change-makers. Our goal is to become a trusted advisor. We leverage our assets on behalf of our partners to facilitate a process of constant learning and continual collaboration.
That’s our added value.
