Comments on: Competition or Collaborative

By: Katie Talbott

Katie Talbott — Tue, 20 May 2008 14:24:57 +0000

I am definitely in favor of collaboration. Being in competition with other organizations that are working towards the same goal as yours seems counter-intuitive. For Impact | The Suddes Group focuses on training and coaching non-profit organizations to raise money for their cause…. a cause that is often shared by more than one organization. We help our clients to focus on building relationships with donors/investors rather than worry about being in competition with other organizations for their money. As a company, we also provide many open-source training materials and ideas at http://www.forimpact.org/archive.

By: Jeane Goforth

Jeane Goforth — Fri, 09 May 2008 09:51:19 +0000

One of the reasons we founded our organization was because a similar organization in the area refused to collaborate with anyone. We have found collaboration to be incredibly enriching and credit our our tremendous success to our ever-expanding connections in the community. We have also made it clear to all that we would gladly work with the original organization. In fact, we actively refer people to them. We hear often about venomous comments from that direction. But we let those pass in the hopes that eventually we can work together because that would benefit our community.

By: Ryan Shantz

Ryan Shantz — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:06:32 +0000

I love the idea of non-profits coming together to help strengthen each other and the communities that they serve. However, from reading the comments above it sounds like this is often met with hesitation. I suppose the question then becomes, how does this happen? I know the non-profits I walk with work within a close network of about 5-6 different non-profit organizations and loosely with many others beyond that. The foundation of this has always been relationship, both individually and organizationally. I think the first step is to meet and understand the hearts within other organizations and then to trust that they desire the best for your heart and organization as well. Hopefully with this trust a foundation can be set to begin to work more closely together.

By: Sarah Hoddinott

Sarah Hoddinott — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:53:03 +0000

I remember the days when there was lots of sharing of ideas. Once upon a time I could call up another organization and ask someone what they were doing around their direct marketing program or how they were using different technology solutions and could have a good long conversation.

It’s sad to hear that that has changed.

I know I benefited and learned about other ways of approaching a common fundraising situation by talking to others in the community. I also think that the business of fundraising grew as a result of that sharing.

By: Conor Byrne

Conor Byrne — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:26:31 +0000

Really interesting post, and something that I have been planning on writing about too.

I read recently that there was something like 7000 new charities registered in the USA last year! I just thought that was phenomenal. Is there a need? Or would people who are thinking of starting a charity be better served seeing who already exists with the same mission and joining forces. I’m all for the latter.

I know recently a fundraiser I know got offended when a fundraiser, from a totally different market, asked how much they had raised so far this year. Now that’s just daft in my book.

I would like to see non profits with similar missions come together more. Maybe even merge? Are our vested interests too powerful to allow us do that?

Surely our goals in non profits is to end situation A or cure illness B, so ultimatly our goal is to work ourselves out of a job. Ok so the reality is that may never happen for most, but if we were to look at it that way well then maybe we would take the approach of together we can achieve more.