From The Intersector Project’s “Research to Practice” series, this article looks closely at scholarly research and highlights key facts, actionable takeaways, and additional resources practitioners can turn to for related guidance.

The relationship between foundations and grantees hasn’t always been collaborative. But there is a growing awareness among funders that working closely with current and potential grantees can help them tackle complex problems and work toward a shared goal within a community. In “Social Entrepreneurship in Communities: Examining the Collaborative Processes of Health Conversion Foundations,” Kathryn Heinze, Jane Banaszak-Holl, and Kathy Babiak, associate professors at the University of Michigan, illustrate and provide insights into this trend in their recent look at health conversion foundations — foundations formed when a non-profit hospital or health system is acquired by a for-profit operator or converted into a for-profit model, generating proceeds.

The authors learned a great deal about the role that foundations can play in enabling cross-sector collaboration within a community as a locally-embedded connector and convener. Their findings may be of interest to organizations or foundations seeking to facilitate the work of cross-sector partners in promoting population health issues, such as maternal health, efficient housing, or food systems.

This article is included in our list of TEN NOTABLE RESOURCES FOR FOUNDATIONS SUPPORTING CROSS-SECTOR COLLABORATION.