Alliance for Nonprofit Management Conference August 3, 2:15-5:15 Collaboration Track

Forming Alliances: Ways to Support NPOs in Working Together to Achieve Mutual Goals

Emil W. Angelica [email protected]

www.ccgpartnership.com

612-926-0122

Based on…

Forming Alliances: Working Together to Achieve Mutual Goals

Authors: Linda Hoskins and Emil Angelica Published by Fieldstone Alliance, Inc.

Agenda

      Introductions Questions/Challenges The “Alliance Continuum” When smaller is better The process Tools You Can Use

Exercise: • What Questions Do You Have?

• Challenges Would You Like Us To Discuss?

Define Alliance

An alliance is a relationship between partners that is strategically formed to • • •

accomplish goals benefit the community strengthen the partners

The Alliance Continuum

Lower Intensity Cooperation Coordination Collaboration Higher Intensity

The “Intensity” of Alliances

Cooperation

 shorter-term, informal relationships  shared information only  separate goals, resources and structures

Coordination

 longer-term effort around a project or task  some planning and division of roles  some shared resources, rewards and risk

Collaboration

 more durable and pervasive relationships  new structure with commitment to common goals  all partners contribute resources and share rewards & leadership

Concerns in Collaborations

 Expensive  Slow to start-up  Loss of control  Damage to reputation  Loss of opportunity

The “Intensity” of Alliances

Cooperation

 shorter-term, informal relationships  shared information only  separate goals, resources and structures

Coordination

 longer-term effort around a project or task  some planning and division of roles  some shared resources, rewards and risk

Collaboration

 more durable and pervasive relationships  new structure with commitment to common goals  all partners contribute resources and share rewards & leadership

Benefits of Lower Intensity

     Increased control and resources Lower risk and fewer resources required Can test out relationship building Can do more of them at one time Quick to start up

Exercise: Alliances you have known • Identify some alliances in which you have been engaged • Using the Alliance Chart (page 2), plot them and consider if they were the right level to accomplish the desired outcome

Alliance Process Flow

Idea Generation

Individually

Framing and Formalizing

With Partners

Implementation

With Partners

Steps in Forming An Alliance

Step 1 Clarify the Purpose Step 2 Identify and Recruit Partners Step 5 Implement and Manage Step 4 Formalize the Structure & Plan Step 3 Frame the Alliance

Range of Roles in Alliances

Convener Facilitator Fiscal Agent Funder Initiator Project Manager

Step 1. Clarify the purpose Begin by answering the following questions (page 4): 1. If we only had ______, we could ________.

2. What do we have to offer a partner?

3. What role will we play?

Consultant Role

• Get involved more at the front end: – Back office alliance – Joint trainings – Joint planning • Raise alliance as a strategy • Play a role in brainstorming • Don’t give up easily

Step 2. Identify and recruit partners (page 5)     Who might be interested in the concept? Who needs what we can offer?

Who has the skills, capabilities, or assets we need?

Who should we work with for political or resources reasons?

Consultant Role

• Serve as a broker between partners • Help participants engage with potential funder if appropriate • Find ways to demonstrate benefits • Support leadership in taking risks

Step 3. Frame the Alliance Begin the conversation with partners in these areas: (Worksheet 1: page 6)  History of the idea and possible mission or purpose  Two or three key outcomes  First steps or strategies   Resources Possible show stoppers

Consultant Role

• Bring new ideas to the table – Intersection of missions – New look at target population • Provide ways to think about new strategies/models – Move away from one-to-one – Use technology to move toward one-to one – Provide for follow-along

Step 4. Formalize the Structure Formalize the structure with:  Timeframe   Decision making Communications   Stakeholders Draft budget

Consultant Role

• Make certain that the intensity level is right for the project • Err on the side of less is better especially if this is a first for the partners • Help think through a budget that makes sense

Step 5. Implement and Manage      Develop a work plan Schedule regular partner meetings Evaluate outcomes periodically Listen to and act on community input Celebrate successes!

Consultant Role

• Look for quick/little successes • Stay connected to help coach at the beginning • Help them get feedback

Check-in and Adjourn

? What are the 1-2 major learnings that you are taking away from this session?

? How are you going to apply your ideas? ? Suggestions for our next training?

Alliance for Nonprofit Management Conference August 3, 2:15-5:15 Collaboration Track

Forming Alliances: Ways to Support NPOs in Working Together to Achieve Mutual Goals

Emil W. Angelica [email protected]

www.ccgpartnership.com

612-926-0122