Most volunteer programs are asked to reach further with the same resources. Partnerships look like an answer: another organisation's people, skills, venues or networks extending what volunteers can deliver.
Some partnerships do exactly that. Others start with enthusiasm, rest on one good relationship between two people and fade when one of them moves on. Some cost more staff time to manage than they return.
The best partnerships give both organisations something they couldn't get alone. They build capacity, bring in skills, resources and knowledge, extend your reach and can open doors to donations and media coverage. Getting there takes a decision about fit before anyone signs anything.
Start with your need
Before you approach anyone, be clear on why.
- What do you need and how would a partnership help?
- Which partnerships would add the most, such as extending your reach or building capacity?
- Do their vision, mission and values align with yours?
- What skills and resources will it take to develop and maintain the partnership?
That last question is the one most often skipped. A partnership is an ongoing commitment of someone's time.
Agree how it will work
Once you've chosen a partner, agree the details.
- Outcomes: what each organisation wants from the partnership and expects of the other.
- Collaboration: how you'll work together and what you're each willing to share.
- Commitment: what each side needs to put in for the partnership to succeed.
- Agreement: a memorandum of understanding (MOU) or similar sets out the relationship, objectives, insurance coverage and commitments. When volunteers work across two organisations, it also makes clear who's responsible for their safety and supervision.
- Communication: how you'll stay in touch and how often you'll meet to check both organisations' expectations are being met.
- Continuity: who holds the relationship on each side and who else knows it. A partnership that lives with one person ends when they leave.
Partnerships to consider
Universities, TAFEs and training providers. Many students want to volunteer and gain experience in their field at the same time. If you regularly recruit event volunteers, a partnership with a provider that runs event management courses can work well. Look at your volunteer roles and which courses align with them.
Government services. Public hospitals, prisons and councils run successful partnerships with community organisations. An animal welfare organisation, for example, might provide pet therapy volunteers to a public hospital. Patients get pet therapy and the animal welfare organisation gains exposure.
Other not-for-profits. Partnering on specific projects can extend both organisations' reach. An organisation supporting disadvantaged women could arrange for the women it works with to volunteer with another not-for-profit. The women build skills and confidence. The other organisation gains a committed group of volunteers.
Businesses. Many businesses include volunteering in their corporate social responsibility. Beyond team volunteering days, look at workplace giving, fundraising, sponsorship, venues, donated goods and services and skills-based volunteering for specific projects.
Your sector. Less formal and just as useful: sharing resources, knowledge, training and venues with organisations doing similar work.
There are plenty of partnerships you could build. The question is which ones are worth the time it takes to make them work.
Which of your current partnerships would survive if the person who set it up left tomorrow?
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