In These Times
Sharing topics and meaningful information to assist you in navigating the current climate
Doing More With Others
Chris Thompson
President
Civic Collaborations Consultants, LLC
In these challenging times of disappearing funding, fading resources and expanding needs, many nonprofits know the frustration of doing more with less and they’re trying to figure out how to do more with others.
I frequently field inquiries about how organizations can reduce costs and improve outcomes by “collaborating.” My quick answer is always the same: Collaboration takes resources, time, and energy – therefore it’s not an option if scarcity is driving the conversation. My more nuanced response is: Because working well with others is necessary to address most community priorities, we should always be intentional about who we work with and how we work together.
When we talk about working together, we often use words like coordinate, cooperate, align, partner and collaborate as synonyms. However, those words mean different things to different people and those differences can generate confusion and disagreements that jeopardize relationships. We need to be clear about the types of relationships we want with other organizations and what is expected of each other in those relationships.
The following “relationship continuum” can be helpful in exploring the different ways individuals and organizations work together to reduce costs, improve outcomes or achieve other goals.
(Click here to view an enlarged version)
The definitions you choose for the above terms may differ from those in the continuum, but what’s important is that all the participants have a shared understanding of what type of relationship is being explored.
When we embrace the idea that we can best succeed by working with others the first step is to communicate with other organizations. As organizations learn more about each other, they can share information and practices. Learning together is often the first step toward acting together.
As we learn more about each other, we may find opportunities to cooperate and share resources. For example, a church that offers transportation services may be able to share access to a van to assist a food pantry with food deliveries.
A deeper set of relationships could allow multiple food pantries and churches to coordinate and align their schedules and activities to ensure that more people have more access to food in their community. Coordinating activities can be done informally.
However, sometimes it is helpful to formally partner and memorialize who will do what. Such partnerships can be a first step toward consolidation. While merging is never easy (in the private or nonprofit sectors), times of scarcity may require it.
If our relationships result in strong bonds of trust, the time may be right to collaborate. Co-creating strategies and then sharing power and responsibility for implementing them is challenging, but it is the best way to achieve enduring, positive community change.
There is much truth to the saying: “To go fast, go alone. To go far, go with others.” But to get to our desired destination we need to take the time to clarify how we will travel and what is expected of each other during the journey. Use the relationship spectrum to help get your journey with others off to a good start.
Chris Thompson is the president of Civic Collaboration Consultants, LLC, which helps communities design, implement and sustain cross-sector collaborations that result in enduring, positive change. Chris uses an engaging, inquiry-based approach to help diverse groups leave their logos and their egos at the door so they can get things done together.
This content is the opinion of the author. GAR Foundation draws on a range of perspectives from our regional community to share insights on nonprofit capacity building. We understand that organizations are unique and require different strategies for success.
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