In 2022 Fenomenal Funds launched the Collaboration Lab—a curated process to facilitate meaningful collaborations among women’s funds members in the Prospera network. Designed by the Fenomenal Funds Advisory Committee, the Collaboration Lab supports women’s funds to harness their collective power, wisdom, and creativity. What happens when a funder asks you to focus on your vision rather than their limits? This question fuels our work and shapes every step of the process.
We use quilting as a metaphor for the process. The diversity of fabrics and patterns represent the diversity of people coming together to create solutions; the stitches represent the bonds formed through the collaboration; each piece is as valuable as the next, each thread holding the collective vision together.
In an increasingly complex world, collaboration has emerged as a vital tool for driving resilience and impact in social justice work. However, the power of collaboration is often untapped, particularly in strengthening organizational infrastructure. Funding Social Justice Futures: Strengthening Organizations through Collaborative Power highlights the transformative potential of feminist collaboration in strengthening organizational infrastructure. The report presents compelling evidence for the transformative potential of investing in collaborative organizational infrastructure initiatives for these challenging times.
These are the processes and mechanisms that supported the implementation of the Collaboration Lab process.
Here we reflect on the power of collaboration and the value of developing a shared vision for solving the challenges faced by women’s funds.
