For over 60 years, the Foellinger Foundation has been providing resources to support residents of Allen County, Indiana to increase their self-reliance by moving from dependence to independence. A challenge faced by the foundation and their grantees is measuring how clients make this transition and creating a common system of measurement.

The Foellinger Foundation wanted input from the individuals working directly with children and families in creating this new system, so they turned to program staff for ideas. The system took two years to develop and the Foundation landed upon the Independence Continuum as the tool used visualize the system. The Continuum represents the setbacks and triumphs of individuals who receive services from grantee organizations.

Take a look at the Foellinger Foundation and the Independence Continuum. What do you think? As a nonprofit, how do you feel about working with a funder to develop a common measurement tool? As a funder, what are your thoughts regarding building relationships with grantees beyond grant dollars? Have either of you been involved in similar work? If so, tell us about it.