Given the challenge of a tough global economy and reduced funding, as well as complex issues that can cross borders and affect multiple communities, and even countries, many NFPs are turning to strategic partnerships with entities that span multiple sectors to meet their mission goals. Building a successful partnership, however, takes more than just a willingness to help others. Consider the following tips to allow your NFP build a sustainable coalition that benefits all participants.

Effective Communication is Open and Ongoing

The key principle upon which every successful partnership is formed is effective communication.  Partners must be prepared to engage in honest and productive discussions and be open to keeping the conversation going over time if the partnership is expected to work for any length of time. Each partner should be keen to keep every other partner “in-the-loop” about what it is that they need from the partnership, and what they can, in turn, contribute, so that all parties can reach their individual and group goals.

Partners need to be honest in their discussions and keep one another current about the progress that they are making, as well as keep them informed about any potential changes or challenges that might affect the work that they are doing together.

Without open and ongoing communication between all partners, both conflicts and missed opportunities can arise, so NFPs and other organisations within the partnership must constantly seek ways to improve communication.

Work Towards a Common Goal While Being Clear About Expectations

Because each entity within a partnership will have different resources that they can contribute, it is unrealistic to expect that every partner will benefit from the partnership in the same way. Each partner has unique needs, as well as specialised skills and resources that they can bring to the partnership. 

When entering a partnership, it is important that each partner is clear about what they can offer the group, as well as what the group expects to receive from them. While expectations and individual contributions will vary from one partner to the next, it is also important that each partner agrees on what the common goal of the partnership should be, as well as on the roles and responsibilities of each partner in working towards the common goal.

How a Partnership Broker Can Help Your NFP

Sometimes, despite the best intentions and dedicated efforts of everyone involved, conflicts within the partnership can arise. Other times, it’s just difficult for an NFP or other organisation to find other qualified entities to partner with that share their goals and vision. By enlisting the aid of a partnership broker, NFPs can have access to an unbiased mediator to help identify prospective partners that would be a good fit for their needs, goals, and resources. A partnership broker can also negotiate the terms of the partnership and allow partnerships to define their mission and goals and keep their mission on track. They can even act as a negotiator and restore communication and smooth relations when difficulties, miscommunication or other challenges arise. 

You can learn more about the work that Partnership Brokers do, and how they can assist your NFP to establish more effective and innovative partnerships by reading the report, “What do Partnership Brokers Do: An Inquiry Into Practice,” compiled by the Partnership Brokers Association.

Has your NFP been a part of a successful partnership in the past? Why not share the story of how your partnership overcame obstacles to achieve its common goal with our readers in the comments section below? By working together and sharing the knowledge and lessons that we have learned, we can each help one another achieve more!