Assessing potential partnerships with community-based organizations
Abstract
Many national service programs seek to expand their efforts by leveraging additional volunteers within the communities they serve. This effective practice, submitted by Hands On Network in August 2006, aids programs in determining the strength of potential partnerships with community service organizations in creating volunteer projects.Issue
Programs often find many potential partners in the community and must then decide which ones are a good fit.Action
Your program may currently have some partner relationships already established within your local community. However, if pre-existing relationships are not present or if your program is looking to expand and/or create new partnerships, consider the following factors:
Types of Organizations
What types of organizations are you willing or able to establish a partnership with? Other non-profits, faith-based organizations (churches, synagogues, temples, mosques, various places of worship), municipalities (such as neighborhood services, parks and recreation, city council and other city services), schools (consider free or reduced lunch percentage as an indicator of need), neighborhood associations and block watches, as well as other community- based organizations are all potential partners. It is important to know whether there any types of organizations your program will/will not work with and then be able to articulate the reason(s) to the public or potential partner.
Issue Areas
What are the most pressing issues in your service area that currently require special attention? Which of these issues (i.e., homelessness, literacy, animal welfare) is your program willing or able to address utilizing volunteers? Are there specific issues or areas your program will not address, such as the arts or disease?
Resources
What resources does the community service organization (CSO) have to offer as a partner? (i.e., volunteers, books, tools, project supplies, project management expertise, specialists, consultants and so forth) In addition, resources may already exist in the community that could be utilized to strengthen partnerships, such as free city tool lending programs, emerging neighborhood leaders, or free how-to training programs.
Volunteer Interest and Availability
Consider where volunteers are located and how far they would be willing to travel to serve. Are businesses, schools, or other potential sources for volunteers located within the areas being considered for service? Furthermore, are public transportation opportunities available within the area? Are volunteers going to be interested in the issues or geographical areas being addressed? Also, consider whether there are opportunities to engage specific demographics such as youth, baby boomers or singles.
Types of Need
What particular request(s) is your program willing to meet within the agency? For example, are you willing to meet operational needs, client services, building or refurbishment necessities? What types of needs will not be included? (e.g., fundraising efforts or clerical).
Geographic Location
Within an issue area, are there specific neighborhoods or regions in the community that are in need of volunteer support? Reach out to information sources such as coalitions, community development corporations, local city officials or neighborhood associations to learn more about prevalent needs and/or targeted efforts within the community. This may be helpful in prioritizing where to begin partnership development.
Parameters
As partnerships and project ideas develop, parameters must also be developed. Parameters should serve as general guidelines and outline the requirements of a partner's contribution. They may vary for recurring projects versus days of service projects or other program offerings. Clarify parameters for all projects and partnerships. As relationships and project opportunities develop, refer back to the parameters you have determined.
Context
The work programs do each day could not be possible without CSO partners. Understanding each organizations role in the community not only educates both program staff and the prospective partner, but is the key in determining how the two can work together.Outcome
As an organization builds a solid structure and develops partnerships, continuity, clarity and efficiency are created; as well as a quality experience for volunteers as they support national service programs and the CSO to meet the needs of their community.Posted On
September 19, 2006For More Information
Resources
This effective practice is the second in a series on volunteer leveraging by the Hands On Network. To read the next practice in the series, see "Contacting potential partners."
The first effective practice in this series is "Assessing your organization's potential for partnerships ."
See the following resources from Hands On Network for more information: