Authentic Collaboration in the Non-Profit Domain
There is a big gap in the nonprofit world, and it revolves around the skillfulness and desire for authentic collaboration.
Nonprofits often feel they need to be territorial and competitive to survive.
I understand why. The way funding works, a limited number of donors together with a scarcity of volunteers and qualified employees make competition necessary. Even competing for clients or people to serve is common.
A coaching client recently told me about a new program he was pursuing because the funding opportunity was available. He had a good idea for the program, but it wasn't something his organization was currently doing.
He didn’t seem very excited. It was more like he felt they “should” pursue the money. I asked about the community's need for this program, and he gave me his assumption. When I asked about other providers offering similar programs, he wasn't sure.
This approach is common in the nonprofit world.
Funding drives program creation, often without exploring what's already being done or looking for collaborative opportunities. And sometimes without even researching whether the community will value and access the program.
I encouraged him, as I encourage other nonprofit leaders, to explore collaboration deeply. Find out what the community actually needs and wants. Invite other providers to the table to learn what is being done and where your organization can complement those efforts. It’s also an opportunity to understand what lessons they’ve already learned.
Real collaboration is more than just a formal agreement.
Building a successful partnership takes time and effort. It should start well before considering a funding proposal.
Here are a few tips for developing authentic collaboration:
Identify a problem your organization wants to help solve. Find other nonprofits interested in solving this challenge.
Invite them to a discussion. Nonprofits often first want to know, "Have you found funding?" But funding should not drive collaboration. Combined skills, talents, and resources will ultimately attract funders.
Meet for a strategic dialogue, not just to create an action plan. Write out the challenge and provide data to support it. Discuss the impact on those you serve when the challenge is solved.
Listen and engage with curiosity. Offer what you think you can bring to the table and invite others to do the same. Be vulnerable in expressing where your organization isn’t strong and invite others to do the same.
Building trust through dialogue is key. Trust is built one conversation and experience at a time. It is essential for collaboration to work.
Start with a few simple guiding questions like:
“Is X a significant problem in our community?”
“How will our community benefit if we solve X together?"
Each organization will learn about the other's strengths and weaknesses.
Through these discussions, a mission and vision for the collaboration may emerge, and a strategic plan may begin to form.
It will be important moving forward to be transparent and aligned on:
Confidentiality.
Key relationships with donors and funders.
How key relationships will be protected.
Norms and agreements on how conflicts will be resolved.
How public credit will be shared.
What will the collaboration be called and how will it be referred to.
The time to build collaborations is before you apply for or receive funding.
Collaboration isn't always easy, but it is worth it. It reduces isolation in nonprofit work and creates better services and safety nets for those served.
Some people believe that joining together on a project with a signed Memorandum of Understanding is what collaboration is. Or that assigned roles and how the money is divided is the most important aspect for success.
Trust, communication, and alignment are the genuine keys to success.
If your nonprofit wants to solve tough challenges but hasn't figured out healthy collaboration, I can help. I am experienced in facilitating strategic dialogues that build trust and meaningful collaboration.
Let's set up a time to talk: https://NCDsolution.com/beth