Finding Common Ground   

It is increasingly commonplace to find foundations, corporations and government entities expecting-and at times requiring-organizations to work together to address community needs. The concept makes perfect sense: bring together organizations with unique skills and talents to collectively focus on broad-reaching issues and improve the human condition.

I believe that innovative partnerships can and should take on a variety of appearances. Certainly two or more organizations can work together to address specific client needs. But what other ways can organizations share resources, experience and knowledge to help one another and to improve the community at large?

At Puente Learning Center in Los Angeles, we have embraced the concept of collaboration. A wonderful example is our Neighborhood Partners in Education (NPE) Conference. Made possible by a generous grant from AT&T, the conference is a two-day program offered at no cost to nonprofits in the spirit of organizational growth and improved service. An engaging dialogue focuses on such key issues as developing effective fundraising strategies, building a strong board of directors, incorporating technology into educational programs, working strategically with elected officials and, of course, establishing effective partnerships.

In two years, more than 125 nonprofit organizations from across the country have participated in NPE. And in the true spirit of collaboration, Puente staff have not only shared knowledge and success with others, but have gleaned valuable information and insight from participants, making us stronger and more effective in our work.

Another successful collaboration involved working with more than 20 Eastside community organizations on a mayoral debate hosted at Puente. Collectively we ensured that the voices and concerns of the residents of our community were heard and their concerns addressed by the leading candidates.

It is essential that organizations recognize that working with others can require a significant investment of time, energy, human resources and dollars. An organization considering partnerships must honestly and critically evaluate the partnership's effect on the organization, on the fulfillment of the organization's mission, and on the needs of the community at large.

It is tempting to pursue partnerships to obtain badly needed funds for program operation. I would suggest avoiding the temptation. Choose partners or collaborators carefully, based on potential outcomes that are mutually beneficial and that align with your organization's purpose. Be sure that all partners agree, in advance, to their expected contribution to the project. Establish a formal written agreement at the onset to help avoid misunderstanding.

Partnerships alone are not a panacea for the challenges that non-profits must address. If implemented thoughtfully, they can offer creative solutions to community needs. If launched haphazardly, they can fail to help your clients and negatively affect your organization's reputation, which you've worked so hard to establish.

Embrace the concept, but move forward with cautious optimism.

Sister Jennie Lechtenberg is the founder and executive director of Puente Learning Center, a nonprofit, nonsectarian education organization in east and south Los Angeles. She serves on a number of local and national committees focused on education and literacy.

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Last updated—November 26, 2001 (eal)