I’ve spent nearly 30 years in the social sector working with great leaders to address some of the most pressing concerns for communities including poverty, homelessness, mental health, healthcare access, child abuse, juvenile justice, and more. It is my belief that this sector, which is the largest growing sector and the third largest employer in the US, is the soul of communities. It has the skills, the expertise, and the passion to respond to the needs of populations in every city and state. However, response is not enough. To have deep and lasting transformation, we must take a trisector approach, which is the blend of expertise from public, private, and social sectors. This type of collaboration can provide many benefits to communities, including increased innovation, enhanced resource allocation, and improved social outcomes.
Trisector Collaboration and Increased Innovation
One such benefit of this collaboration is increased innovation. When brilliant minds from different sectors come together to work on a problem, they bring a diverse blend of skills, perspectives, and resources. This blend can lead to new innovative ideas and approaches that is not possible when we remain isolated. By combining strengths and resources, trisector collaboration has massive potential to solve some of our most complex social issues.
Trisector Collaboration and Resource Allocation
The biggest challenge faced by the social sector is resource allocation. Trisector collaboration would greatly improve this challenge. When the three sectors choose to play together, they can leverage resources and strengths of the whole more effectively. For example, the private sector may have access to greater funding and technology, while the public sector can affect policy and data. Nonprofits have a deep understanding of community needs and the lived experience in solving those needs. By working together, resources, technology, data, and policy can contribute to workable solutions for communities across the country.
Trisector Collaboration and Social Outcomes
Finally, trisector collaboration can lead to improved social outcomes. When communities coordinate their finest minds, resources, skills, and technology, complex problems like poverty, inequality, economic disparities, and environmental degradation can be addressed in a holistic way. Everyone wins. Working together, sectors can create programs and initiatives that are more responsive to the needs of the community, with resources to support lasting change, and a better future for all.
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