Principles and Practices

for Nonprofit Excellence

Strategic Alliances

The effectiveness of nonprofit organizations depends on successful relationships with other community institutions. Regardless of form — partnership, collaboration, cooperation or coordination — these relationships, or strategic alliances, can serve a variety of purposes, including resource sharing, policy influence and improved operational efficiency. They strengthen both the capacity of individual organizations and the sector as a whole. Nonprofits should be open to strategic alliances and, when appropriate, should partner with other organizations to strengthen their capability to achieve desired results. Nonprofits should initiate and promote cooperation and coordination between a variety of entities to avoid unnecessary duplication of services and to maximize the resources available to the communities they serve.

Strategy

1) Nonprofits should be open to new strategic alliances to achieve organizational goals and strengthen connections with constituents and others in the communities they serve.

2) Decisions regarding strategic alliances should be consistent with the strategic goals of the participating organizations.

Coordination

3) Nonprofits should stay aware of and coordinate with other organizations providing similar or complementary services in their communities.

4) The work of nonprofits can exist in both cooperative and competitive environments. Having a variety of nonprofit organizations is positive and healthy for a community as it provides for a continuum of approaches, leadership opportunities, individual choices and customization at the local level.

5) Nonprofits should work to establish communication channels, mutual understanding and natural alliances among government, nonprofit and for-profit sectors to take advantage of the total resources of the community.

6) When possible and appropriate, larger nonprofits should assist smaller nonprofits in the community through alliances and sharing of resources and expertise.

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Principles and Practices

Click on the links below to jump to the different sections of The Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence.

• Introduction
• The Principles
• Role in Society

• Governance

• Planning

• Transparency and Accountability

• Fundraising

• Financial Management

• Human Resources

• Civic Engagement and Public Policy

• Strategic Alliances
• Evaluation
• Advice for Users
• The Origins of the Principles and Practices

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Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence