In this post we continue to explore innovative funding practices that are already making a difference. We hear from another funder leading the change in this new paradigm: Nadia Kist, Director of Africa Partnerships, Blood:Water.
About Blood:Water
Founded in 2004, Blood:Water has developed deep, meaningful collaborations with 33 organizations across twelve African countries, strategically focusing on areas with the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS and the greatest need for clean water. Blood:Water, based in the US and in Nairobi Kenya, partners with African organisations to end health disparities. As an international non profit, they work closely with African led organisations, employing a community based approach to their mission.
Blood:Water recognises that true change comes from the ground up. By partnering closely with local leaders and organisations, they empower those who are most affected to drive the solutions needed to eliminate the HIV/AIDS and water crises. It is the daily work and efforts of these partners on the ground that make a lasting impact and bring about true change.
Their mission is achieved through a unique partnership model that combines grant funding for community based programmes with a separate stream of organisational strengthening investment. This approach supports both the long term health of the communities and the organisations within those communities.
“Blood:Water is exceptional in their model and strategy around organizational strengthening. I can tell you that there are many donors giving money towards the same, but aren’t achieving the same impact Blood:Water is achieving.”
Evans Okinyi, CEO of East Africa Philanthropy Network
Blood:Water Partnership Model
To ensure deep, meaningful, impactful collaboration, Blood:Water carefully limits its partnerships to no more than ten at any given time. This intentional focus allows them to cultivate deep, trust based relationships built on these key beliefs:
1. Communities as experts
Blood:Water believes that communities are the true experts and rightful custodians of their own development. They know the solutions that are most necessary, relevant, and effective in serving all people.
2. Leveraging existing resources
Communities are already resourced in diverse ways. Blood:Water’s partnership aims to leverage and enhance these existing resources to amplify the impact of their efforts.
3. Following the community’s lead
Partnering with communities means following their lead. This involves authentically elevating local leaders, investing in their vision, health, and growth, and empowering their voices within the partnership.
At the core of Blood:Water’s model is the belief that healthy partners lead to healthy communities. Strengthened organisations, with improved institutional health, can deliver higher impact interventions and are better positioned for long term success.
The grant making component of this model is exclusively available to African led community organisations. It is designed for depth and impact, offering support for up to eight years across two year grant cycles, with a maximum of ten organisations participating at any one time.
The partnerships are relationally deep, with flexible and scalable funding that requires low administrative management. This funding is also distinctively linked with a framework for organisational strengthening.
The organisational strengthening process is ongoing, engaging partners to invest in their existing institutional and programmatic capabilities. The goal is to enhance organisational efficacy, longevity, and overall health. This is achieved through investing in the policies, people, systems, and practices that make up the organisation as a whole.
“We strengthen our partners so they can flourish.”
How the Model is Applied: Relationship Centered Systems Transformation
Blood:Water places high value on relationships, believing that authentic systems change happens when people and relationships are at the centre. While the principles, mindsets, and actions that embody this approach may not be easily transferable, there are elements that can be shared and adopted by others.
“Trust and equity cannot be achieved by simply changing the parameters of how money is accessed.”
Two guiding principles anchor everything they do:
1. Mutuality
Blood:Water views every aspect of the partnership process as a two way experience, ensuring that the relationship is adaptive and responsive. Responsiveness is seen as evidence of power transfer, not just listening to partners but also changing the way they work in response. Partners co-create the partnership experience rather than merely receiving it.
2. Relational proximity
People are at the heart of partnerships, where trust is built. Blood:Water intentionally cultivates this trust over time by giving partners access to their team, being transparent, and providing visibility into how decisions are made, and why.
These principles are applied in various aspects of their work. For example, in partner selection, Blood:Water recognises that partners are also vetting them, it matters that a partner chooses Blood:Water as much as the other way around. They consider their partners as experts, best placed to speak on programme design and delivery.
In practice, this might involve an on-site visit to the organisation, where both parties sit around the table with full transparency, ensuring no surprises once the partnership is offered. Current partners can refer new partners, participate in the final on site visit, ask questions, and share their perspective on the partnership.
Blood:Water approaches grants management with the belief that trust is born out of relational proximity, not simply system design. Their commitment to co-creation extends beyond proposal design to encompass all aspects of partner management, embedding co-creation throughout the entire grants process.
They adopt a standards based approach rather than focusing solely on due diligence or risk management, ensuring that administrative systems are mutually beneficial and contribute to strengthening missional impact. This approach is reflected not only in their documentation processes but also in the relationships they cultivate.
In practice, this manifests as relational check ins that go beyond the grant itself. Blood:Water employs a mutual performance monitoring mechanism, including a scorecard that allows partners to assess how well Blood:Water is performing from their perspective. This mutual monitoring process occurs at six month intervals, with reports shared back to partners so they can see what other partners are doing and what they are collectively achieving.
Blood:Water also invites partners into their systems and policy troubleshooting mechanisms, allowing them to guide necessary changes. They focus beyond traditional parameters, recognising outstanding efforts and leadership within their partner organisations.
Blood:Water’s approach to feedback mechanisms is grounded in the mindset that they are accountable to their partners first, seeing themselves as stewards of a community engaged in continuous co-creation. Partners are placed at the center of this process, ensuring that their experiences directly inform the organisation’s practices. While Blood:Water is committed to maintaining alignment with their model, they remain flexible in the methods they use to achieve it.
In practice, this approach involves ongoing one to one feedback and anonymous surveys, allowing partners to provide honest insights into how Blood:Water is performing. The feedback gathered from these surveys is actioned, with the results and subsequent actions shared back with partners. Additionally, a partner led advisory committee, along with a code of conduct and accountability mechanisms, is in place to ensure that Blood:Water consistently lives out its values.
Blood:Water is focused on looking beyond the traditional structure of funding, prioritising relationships and trust. They are committed to ensuring power transfer and equity at all stages of the partnership.
Blood:Water’s partnership model exemplifies a shift in the traditional dynamics of grant making, focusing not just on financial support but on fostering deep, trust based relationships with their partners. By prioritising co-creation, mutual accountability, and flexible, community centered practices, Blood:Water is not only advancing their mission to end health disparities but also redefining what effective and equitable partnerships can look like.
Their commitment to empowering local communities, amplifying their voices, and ensuring that power is equitably shared at every stage of the relationship is a powerful reminder that true change happens when those closest to the challenges are given the resources and support they need to lead the way.
Listen to the full Conversations and Connections Cafe conversation here.