Little Dolphin School... expanding their model
Question:
How does The Little Dolphin School partner with private companies, nonprofits and/or other public organizations, to expand their model of early education?
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Anonymous Partner FeedbackWe had to realize that a shift of emphasis on efficiency doesn’t mean we’re less caring, it actually means we serve more people.
Approaching national foundations may be tough at this point for LDS. Most of them tend to be highly competitive, project oriented, and require stringent monitoring to ensure grant progress. Rather, Maine has its fair share of foundations, including the Alfond Foundation, Maine Community Foundation, and the Hannaford Charitable Foundation, that fund local nonprofits focused on providing child services. Local foundations are more vested in the community, easier to apply to, and more open to site visits, which markedly increase a nonprofit's chances of receiving funding. LDS can apply for a staff expansion grant for a director of development, which would then position them to secure general operating grants and more consistent donor giving.
Also, LDS needs to be cautious of its nonprofit-corporate partnerships. If it appears that LDS is forming more formal business relationships, as opposed to corporate charitable giving, grantmakers will see no role for themselves as partners with LDS. In due time, LDS will sure enough be ready to approach the national foundations with its more ambitious and innovative ideas, but for now, it has to take the intermediate steps.