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Care Convention Network Uganda
Care Convention Network Uganda
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OUR ACTIVE PARTNERSHIP MODEL

Once an organization joins the Uganda Cares Convention Network, we deploy our Active Partnership Model—a comprehensive support approach that goes far beyond traditional grantmaking. This model recognizes that financial resources alone are insufficient to build strong, sustainable organizations. Partners need capacity building, peer learning, strategic connections, and platform visibility to achieve their full potential

Core Elements of Active Partnership

1. Flexible Financial Suppor

  • General Operating Support: Where appropriate, we provide unrestricted funding that allows partners to invest in infrastructure, retain talented staff, and respond to emerging opportunities
  • Multi-Year Commitments: High-performing partners receive multi-year pledges that enable long-term planning and strategic investment
  • Responsive Funding: We maintain flexibility to provide emergency support or opportunity funding when partners face crises or encounter catalytic opportunities
  • Co-Investment: We actively connect partners to other funders and facilitate co-funding arrangements that reduce dependency on any single source

2. Capacity Building and Technical Assistance

  • Uganda Cares Philanthropy Academy: Partners access comprehensive training programs covering strategic planning, fundraising, financial management, impact measurement, communications, and governance
  • Organizational Capacity Assessments: We conduct regular health checks using standardized tools that identify strengths and capacity gaps, informing tailored support plans
  • On-Demand Technical Support: Partnership coordinators provide coaching and problem-solving support on organizational challenges as they arise
  • Specialized Expertise: We connect partners with experts in areas like legal compliance, technology systems, human resources, and safeguarding policy development.

3. Peer Learning and Community Building

  • Communities of Practice: Partners engage with peers working in similar sectors to share learning, coordinate efforts, and solve common challenges collaboratively
  • Annual Convention Participation: Full engagement in the seven-day Charity Week and Festival provides networking, visibility, and inspiration
  • Mentorship Arrangements: We facilitate mentorship relationships between mature partners and emerging organizations
  • Peer Site Visits: Partners visit each other’s programs to observe approaches, share lessons, and build relationships
  • Collaborative Problem-Solving: We convene partners facing similar challenges for joint brainstorming and solution development

4. Strategic Connections and Network Access

  • Funder Introductions: We actively introduce partners to corporate sponsors, foundations, international donors, and government grant programs
  • Partnership Brokering: We facilitate partnerships between our partners and other organizations that can complement their work
  • Government Relations Support: We leverage our relationships with ministries and district governments to open doors for partners
  • Corporate Engagement: We connect partners to corporate volunteer programs, in-kind donation opportunities, and CSR partnerships
  • Media Connections: We introduce partners to journalists, influencers, and communications platforms that can amplify their stories.

FOR ORGANIZATIONS INTERESTED IN PARTNERSHIP

If your organization embodies our Visionary Criteria and could benefit from our Active Partnership Model, we encourage you to:

  1. Participate in Uganda Cares Activities: Attend the Annual Convention, join relevant Communities of Practice, or participate in Philanthropy Academy training programs. This allows mutual assessment of fit.
  2. Seek Referral: Ask a current Uganda Cares partner, District Governor, or trusted stakeholder to refer your organization to our partnerships team.
  3. Contact Our Partnerships Team:
    • Email: partnerships@ugandacares.org
    • Phone: +256 709 619 307
    • Include: Brief description of your work, organizational budget, current funding sources, and why you believe Uganda Cares partnership would be mutually beneficial
  4. Be Patient: We carefully evaluate potential partners to ensure strong fit and mutual benefit. Initial conversations may take several months to develop into formal partnership.

5. Platform Visibility and Credibility Building

  • Convention Exhibition: Partners receive prominent platform at Annual Convention and Festival to showcase their work to thousands of attendees
  • Communications Amplification: We feature partners in Tunga Magazine, social media, annual reports, and the Uganda Philanthropy Data Portal
  • Awards Recognition: High-performing partners are nominated for Community Heroes Awards, gaining public recognition and credibility
  • Verification Systems: Partners access our Tunga Marketing verification technology for program documentation and impact communication
  • Thought Leadership Opportunities: We provide speaking opportunities, panel participation, and media interviews that position partner leaders as experts.

6. Impact Measurement and Learning Support

  • M&E Framework Development: We help partners develop appropriate monitoring and evaluation systems tailored to their programs and capacity
  • Data Collection Tools: Partners access standardized forms, mobile apps, and documentation protocols that streamline impact measurement
  • Impact Story Development: We support partners in capturing compelling beneficiary stories that demonstrate program effectiveness
  • Learning Events: We facilitate reflection sessions where partners analyze their data, identify lessons, and adjust strategies
  • Evaluation Support: For partners ready for more rigorous evaluation, we can facilitate connections to research partners or provide evaluation funding.

7. Strategic Planning and Sustainability Support.

  • Growth Strategy Development: We work with partners to develop clear, realistic plans for responsible organizational growth
  • Sustainability Planning: As partners approach graduation, we intensify support for diversifying funding, strengthening systems, and preparing for independence
  • Succession Planning: We help founder-led organizations develop leadership pipelines and transition plans
  • Crisis Support: When partners face organizational crises, we provide intensive support to navigate challenges and emerge stronger

PARTNERSHIP PROGRESSION AND GRADUATION

Our Active Partnership Model recognizes that different organizations need different types of support at different stages of their development. As detailed in our Partner Journey framework:

  • Growth Phase Partners receive intensive capacity building, frequent touchpoints, and foundational support for systems development
  • Discovery Phase Partners get expanded financial commitment, impact evaluation support, and broader network access
  • Acceleration Phase Partners receive sustainability planning support, handoffs to scale-focused funders, and mentorship opportunities with younger partners
  • Mature Partners transition to light-touch relationships with continued platform access and network connections.

After graduation, high-performing partners join our Community Heroes Circle, where they continue participating in Uganda Cares events, mentoring younger organizations, and contributing to building Uganda’s culture of giving—all without financial support from Uganda Cares

WHAT DISTINGUISHES OUR ACTIVE PARTNERSHIP APPROACH

Trust-Based Philosophy

We trust partners to know what their communities need and how best to serve them. Rather than dictating program specifics, we provide resources and support, then hold partners accountable for progress toward their own stated missions.

Long-Term Commitment

We make multi-year commitments that allow partners to plan strategically rather than living grant-to-grant. Our maximum eight-year partnership duration provides sufficient time for meaningful organizational transformation.

Beyond Money

We recognize that financial resources alone don’t build strong organizations. Our comprehensive support model addresses the full range of organizational development needs.

Network Effects

By systematically connecting our partners to each other and to external resources, we create value far exceeding what any single organization could achieve alone.

Local Ownership

We are Ugandans supporting Ugandans. Our team understands context deeply because we live it. Partners work with people who share their culture, language, and commitment to Uganda’s development.

Accountability Through Relationship

Rather than imposing bureaucratic compliance requirements, we build accountability through trusted relationships where honest communication about challenges is welcomed and supported.

Ecosystem Thinking

We don’t just strengthen individual organizations—we strengthen the entire philanthropy ecosystem through knowledge sharing, policy advocacy, and promotion of collaborative rather than competitive approaches.

MEASURING SUCCESS OF OUR ACTIVE PARTNERSHIP

We evaluate the effectiveness of our Active Partnership Model through multiple indicators:

Partner Organization Health:

  • Improved financial management systems
  • Stronger governance structures
  • Enhanced M&E capacity
  • Better staff retention and development
  • More diversified funding base

Partner Impact Growth:

  • Increased number of beneficiaries served
  • Geographic expansion to new districts
  • Program quality improvements documented through beneficiary feedback
  • Evidence of sustainable behavior change among beneficiaries
  • Recognition by external stakeholders as effective implementers

Network Engagement:

  • Active participation in Communities of Practice
  • Mentorship of younger partners
  • Collaboration with peer organizations on joint initiatives
  • Contribution to Uganda Cares events and learning platforms
  • Application of learnings from peer exchanges

Sustainability Indicators:

  • Reduced financial dependency on Uganda Cares over time
  • Successful attraction of major institutional funders
  • Transition to Community Heroes Circle with continued ecosystem contribution
  • Organizational survival and continued impact after Uganda Cares support ends

Ecosystem Impact:

  • Partners who go on to mentor others even after graduation
  • Innovations pioneered by partners that are adopted sector-wide
  • Policy changes influenced by partner advocacy
  • Increased collaboration rather than competition among civil society organizations
  • Growth in overall resources flowing to effective community organizations