How do you manage partnership agreements?

2 Choose your partner wisely

Not every organization that shares your cause or interest is a suitable partner for you. You need to do some research and due diligence to find out more about your potential partner, such as their reputation, track record, resources, culture, and goals. You should also assess their strengths and weaknesses, and how they complement yours. Ideally, you want to find a partner that has a similar vision and values, a compatible working style, and a mutual trust and respect.

3 Draft a clear and comprehensive agreement

A partnership agreement is a legal document that outlines the terms and conditions of the partnership, such as the objectives, scope, duration, roles, responsibilities, contributions, benefits, governance, communication, evaluation, and termination. It should be clear, concise, and specific, and cover all the possible scenarios and contingencies that may arise during the partnership. It should also be reviewed and signed by all the partners, and updated as needed to reflect any changes or amendments.

4 Communicate regularly and effectively

Communication is key to any successful partnership. You need to establish and maintain regular and open communication channels with your partner, such as meetings, calls, emails, reports, and feedback. You should also communicate clearly and respectfully, and avoid jargon, assumptions, and misunderstandings. Communication should be focused on the partnership objectives, progress, challenges, and opportunities, and involve all the relevant stakeholders and decision-makers.

5 Monitor and evaluate the partnership

To ensure that the partnership is delivering the expected results and benefits, you need to monitor and evaluate its performance and impact. You should have a clear and agreed-upon framework and criteria for measuring the partnership outcomes, outputs, and processes, and use reliable and relevant data and indicators. You should also conduct regular and timely reviews and assessments of the partnership, and share and discuss the findings and recommendations with your partner.

6 Celebrate and acknowledge the partnership

One of the ways to strengthen and sustain the partnership is to celebrate and acknowledge its achievements and contributions. You should recognize and appreciate the efforts and inputs of your partner, and share the success stories and lessons learned with your staff, board, donors, beneficiaries, and other stakeholders. You should also celebrate the milestones and accomplishments of the partnership, and express your gratitude and satisfaction with your partner.

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?