Collaboration is crucial for contemporary nonprofit organizations. Building partnerships with other community organizations can significantly extend the reach of your nonprofit, enable you to pool your resources with a likeminded organization, and amplify both organizations’ missions. Successful partnerships are more than just agreements; they are relationships rooted in shared goals, trust, and mutual support.
If you are a nonprofit leader, here are some steps to develop effective community partnerships and maximize your impact.
1. Recognize Shared Goals and Values
Where there is shared understanding about mutual goals and values, much can be achieved. To build meaningful collaboration, you should first identify potential partners whose missions align with your nonprofit’s. The other organization should work in the same geographic area, target the same populations, and/or have shared goals—for example, to alleviate hunger among people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles. To find potential partners, research community organizations with a similar vision and approach to social change. You can also meet and connect with fellow nonprofit leaders and staff via platforms like LinkedIn, the Center for Nonprofit Advancement, local nonprofit networking events, and industry-specific conferences (e.g., education, human services, housing, climate action, etc.) Faith-based charities can also join local interfaith coalitions.
When potential partners are found, reach out to start a dialogue. Communicate how collaboration can benefit both your organizations and help the people you both serve. Share your work and talk about the successes and challenges you’ve experienced. Relationships take time to build, but once you have a firm footing, you can start brainstorming specific projects to partner on.
2. Establish Clear Expectations and Roles
Clarity is key to successful partnerships. At the outset of a project, you should establish clear expectations regarding each partner’s responsibilities, roles, and contributions. It can help to create a partnership agreement that details responsibilities, timelines, and deliverables and, if possible, problems that could arise. A transparent agreement allows no room for misunderstanding; both organizations will be held accountable in case something goes wrong. This is also the time to talk about the extent of the partnership, how success should be measured, and the resources—whether financial, human, or material—you are each expected to provide.
3. Leverage Each Organization’s Strengths
Every organization has its own strengths, and the best partnership is one that capitalizes on what each partner does best. For instance, your organization may have ties to the community and volunteers, while the other may bring expertise in program development or access to funding. Or, to return to the previous example, maybe your organization alleviates hunger in LA by operating a free food pantry, while your potential partner targets the same goal by working with grocery stores to collect unsold food and distribute it to people in need.
These strengths can be utilized to meet community needs without duplicating efforts, since you’ll focus on complementing one another. Complementary skills can help in reaping maximum benefits from such a partnership and make the service more holistic in approach.
4. Build Trust Through Open Communication
Trust forms the basis of every partnership, and open, honest communication is the only way trust is built. Be sure to regularly communicate with your community partners so that all parties involved are aware of the progress, obstacles, and any scope of partnership changes. Transparency builds trust and collaboration, thus helping to work around obstacles. In addition, remember that communication involves not just speaking, but also active listening. Be ready to listen to your partners and respond constructively. Regular check-ins, joint planning sessions, and open forums for feedback are great ways to ensure a healthy, trust-based relationship.
5. Engage the Community As a Key Stakeholder
Successful partnerships extend beyond the two collaborating organizations—the community is actively involved. Community engagement is important because it helps ensure that the partnership is responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people it serves. Always consider the community a significant stakeholder in any nonprofit partnership and engage them in project planning and implementation (this is also good advice when you’re working solo.) Community gatherings, questionnaires, or an advisory committee comprised of community members can provide this input. As the community becomes more involved in decision-making, they’ll feel a sense of ownership in the project, thus strengthening the impact.
6. Be Flexible and Adaptable
No matter how well-planned a partnership is, there are bound to be challenges, so put in place measures to tweak strategies whenever circumstances change. Successful partnerships exhibit flexibility; you have to know when to shift gears without losing sight of the goals you have set together. For example, you might have to adjust timelines for projects, shift resources, or alter roles. A willingness to adapt helps keep the partnership intact.
7. Celebrate Successes and Acknowledge Contributions
Acknowledging successes—both big and small—is an essential attribute in any positive and sustainable relationship. Celebrating achievements is one sure way of boosting morale and confidence in the partnership, because it reinforces the reasons why working together matters. Ensure you’re publicly acknowledging your partners through social media, newsletters, or community events; don’t try to claim total credit on a shared project. You can also publish success stories and testimonials that highlight the gains from the partnership and how such collective action inspires donors, stakeholders, and the community at large.
Partnerships with organizations in your community are one of the best strategies your nonprofit can use to expand your scope and create lasting change. For the most productive partnerships, focus on a common purpose, utilize each partner’s strengths, maintain open communication, and keep the community involved. Flexibility and recognition of contributions further can further enhance the relationship and sustain it over the long run.
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