Every non-profit organization begins with a mission statement. Over the years of serving clients, some nonprofits drift from their mission, while others are able to grip firmly to the mission that originally opened their doors. For those who are able to stick to their original mission, collaborations with other local organizations can play a key part in their success.
Ever changing client needs, a change in board members and key leaders in the organization, all of these can lead a nonprofit to drift from their original mission. By collaborating with other local organizations, client needs can be met without a radical change to your mission. Building relationships and open communication with other organizations is a key piece to any collaboration.
A second important move for organizations considering collaborations is to have a clear strategic plan. Case studies indicate that organizations which recently went through the intense strategic planning process are better prepared to be a solid collaborative partner. By following the clear goals and objectives of a strategic plan, an organization can stay on task and even use the process to work through the collaborative partnership.
Organizations may choose to collaborate for a number of reasons, including:
- to save costs by sharing infrastructure and administrative expenses
- to strengthen programs or improve efficiency by utilizing complementary skills and abilities.
- to expand the value proposition for both organizations
- to increase leadership skills
Many homeless outreach organizations successfully utilize collaborations to provide healthcare, the benefit of education and food to their clients and homeless guests. Collaborations between nonprofits are a positive for any community.
Being open to collaborations can lead to these benefits and more for a nonprofit organization. Even if this is something you have never considering, just having that conversation could be the start of a beautiful relationship. In fact, consider collaborating with us here at Vacation Homes for Charity. Visit our website and see how we can help with fundraisers. And if you’re interested in generating donations for your cause you may be interested in a TravelPledge account to provide your donors with great vacations, golf rounds and much more.