Spring Impact Donor Guide - US

“The work that we did with
Spring Impact has made
our organization stronger
and has become an
opportunity for us to prove
that what we do and the
way we do it is relevant to
the world today.”
ELENA BONOMETTI, CEO, TOSTAN
Spring Impact was instrumental in Tostan’s ability to be
resilient and make positive choices for community partners
and staff during the pandemic. “It was an amazing opportunity
for Tostan to prove how important our model is,” she says.
“The work that we did with Spring Impact has made our
organization stronger and has become an opportunity for us
to prove that what we do and the way we do it is relevant to
the world today.”
LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIPS
Bonometti notes that Tostan looks for philanthropic donors
who share its values and approach their funding with a spirit
of learning and evolution.
“Our donors have been true partners, working with us at
the root of the challenge, supportive of community choices,
co-creating as we go, and of course being open to consider
multiyear, unrestricted funding because the work that we do
requires patience and flexibility,” Bonometti says. “When we
co-create everyone wins, everyone gets more out of the work,
and we have a larger impact.”
Tostan has also learned the value of a long-term relationship
with an advisor like Spring Impact during the journey of
strategic scaling. Tostan recently received a generous gift
from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, and Bonometti says
they wouldn’t have been positioned for that incredible boost
without Spring Impact’s scaling guidance.
“As you’re growing, you take three steps forward and two
steps back, but you just keep going,” Bonometti says. “It’s
vital to have someone trustworthy by your side who asks the
right questions and supports you through difficult or sticky
moments. Spring Impact knows the history of that journey—
they’re part of that journey—and that’s added value; it’s a
huge asset.”
COLLABORATION WITH SPRING IMPACT
Spring Impact played a pivotol role in
Tostan’s strategic positioning.
Assessed Tostan’s readiness to scale
Reviewed Tostan’s mission and
strengths, and evaluated how those
strengths could be amplified
Honed Tostan’s value proposition
Identified areas for growth
Designed a strategy for scaling