What are the best practices for building a diverse network of partner organizations?

2 Research and reach out

Once you have identified your goals and needs, you can start researching and reaching out to other organizations that work in your field or serve your target population. You can use online databases, directories, social media, or referrals to find potential partners. You can also attend events, workshops, or conferences where you can network and learn from others. When you contact a potential partner, be clear about your purpose, expectations, and interests. Explain how the partnership would benefit both parties and align with their mission and vision. Be respectful, courteous, and professional in your communication.

3 Establish trust and rapport

After you have initiated contact with a potential partner, you need to build trust and rapport with them. This means listening to their needs and concerns, sharing your values and stories, and showing genuine interest and appreciation. You can also use informal or formal methods to assess their capacity, credibility, and compatibility. For example, you can visit their website, check their references, review their reports, or conduct a site visit. You can also ask for feedback, suggestions, or input on your program or project. Building trust and rapport will help you create a solid foundation for a successful partnership.

4 Negotiate and formalize

Once you have established trust and rapport with a potential partner, you need to negotiate and formalize the terms and conditions of the partnership. This means defining the roles and responsibilities, the goals and indicators, the resources and contributions, and the communication and evaluation methods of each partner. You should also discuss how to handle any conflicts, risks, or changes that may arise during the partnership. You should document the agreement in a written contract or memorandum of understanding (MOU) that outlines the expectations and obligations of each partner. You should also review and update the agreement regularly to reflect any changes or progress.

5 Collaborate and communicate

After you have formalized the agreement with your partner, you need to collaborate and communicate effectively with them. This means sharing information, resources, and feedback regularly and transparently. You should also respect and value the diversity and expertise of each partner and avoid imposing your views or practices on them. You should also celebrate the achievements and milestones of the partnership and acknowledge the contributions and efforts of each partner. Collaborating and communicating effectively will help you maintain a healthy and productive partnership.

6 Learn and improve

Finally, you need to learn and improve from your partnership experience. This means monitoring and evaluating the results and impact of the partnership and identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the process and the outcomes. You should also solicit and provide feedback to your partner and discuss how to improve the partnership in the future. You should also document and share the lessons and best practices that you have learned from the partnership and apply them to your own organization or other partnerships. Learning and improving from your partnership experience will help you grow and develop as a non-profit leader.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?