Over the past 15 years, I have participated in hundreds of meetings with the goal to develop new or cultivate existing partnerships between nonprofits (and some for profits). Out of these meetings came new strategies for better serving clients, furthering the missions of all parties, and developing new and exciting strategies for having greater impact. Oftentimes, these were meetings between organizations with complementary missions—offering some of the same services to the same target audiences. Yet, these partnerships were not only developed but became lasting successes.
Here are three proven tips for creating effective partnerships between nonprofits.
Tip One: Be informed. Before reaching out to any prospective partner, do your homework—internally and externally. You should have a clear understanding of what you want/need out of the partnership and how the partnership will affect your operations, programs, and stakeholders.
Tip Two: Be open and flexible. The worst thing to do in meeting with any prospective partner is to be closed-minded and focused solely on the partnership idea you walked in the door with. I have had countless meetings where the partnership idea I walked in the door with bloomed into something greater than I could have imagined possible. When both parties are willing to have an open discussion and to “throw ideas on the wall and see what sticks” the possibilities are endless.
Tip Three: Be human. Partnerships are relationships, and relationships occur between people.
People give to people they like.
People work with people they trust.
People partner with people the like and trust.
The Word Woman
www.thewordwomanllc.com
The Word Woman LLC is a full-service consulting firm specializing assisting emerging and established nonprofit organizations as well as federal, state and local government agencies in achieving their missions and goals for public good.
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