The Foraker Group

Here are the critical tools to determine whether or not you can successfully build and enhance key partnerships.

• A strategic plan – Outline where partnerships can strengthen mission.
• An operating plan – Outline where partnerships can strengthen annual goals and priorities.
• A business plan – Outline where partnerships can strengthen mission, complement human capacity, and allow the organization to increase and/or conserve funds.
• A fund development plan – Focus on partnerships that emphasize donor relationships as a core fundraising philosophy.
• A marketing and communications plan – Focus on the impact of the organization through stories, and outline tactics to engage stakeholders in telling their mission-connected stories.
• Current letters of agreement – Outline letters of agreement or memorandums that ensure an understanding with mission-connected stakeholders.

What key steps can your board and staff take this year to build strategic partnerships?

–Dennis

Dennis McMillian, is President of The Foraker Group, a capacity building organization based in Alaska, and the author of Focus on Sustainability: A Nonprofit’s Journey.