Collaborating in Faith: Reflections on Philanthropy, Faith, and Education
By Ruth Stegeman, Director for Community Engagement, College of Community and Public Service
Faith is the substance of things hope for, the evidence of things not seen, according to Hebrews 11:1.
In the past week, we celebrated partnerships between faith-based organizations, philanthropy, and the education community. Reflecting on the event and the definition of faith from Hebrews, I find it odd that only some of our group is considered faith-based. I propose that by merely initiating a partnership we can all hold claim to that label. We all act on the basis of faith - intending to make substantial what we hope for, believing in what we cannot yet see.
In my role as GVSU's Director for Community Engagement, I work to harness and align partnerships of mutual benefit to the university and community. In each encounter, I proceed with an assumption that people want to act with integrity, given their circumstances. I proceed believing that what is hoped for will come, and will be evidenced in a concrete product, often more than we could have asked or imagined. I proceed in faith.
So do each of you. With an initial act of faith, you invest your time, your resources, and your skills toward long-term sustainable relationships. You do so because you need the partnership to achieve your fundamental goals. You need your partner's core competencies.
What are these competencies?
On the university's part, with its faculty and staff, centers such as the Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Community Research Institute, as well as at least 12 separate business resource centers, we can, among other things:
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Provide deep subject knowledge and specialized expertise;
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Gather and interpret data to analyze current efforts and support effective planning and decision making; and
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Employ new technologies for social, economic, and environmental innovation.
At the same time the university depends on the capabilities of our community partners -- organizations (faith-based and other), foundations, government, and business, inclusive of community members. The capabilities we need from our communities include:
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Experiential knowledge resulting from on-the-ground implmentation and iterative learning;
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Financial resources as well as gifts of time and talent;
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Rich historical and contextual understanding of community challenges; and
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Intimacy with multiple cultures and sectors.
We collaborate in faith -- the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. We act with integrity and good intent. We have capabilities to offer. Now, let's figure out how to orchestrate our collective actions for results.
