Partnering with a bigger organization

Partnerships should be mutual relationships: that is, working relationships that provide mutual benefit to each participant. Although this mutuality might be more apparent when the participating organizations are similar in size and health, it can and should still be present when organizations are significantly different. In this article we’ll discuss how to go about creating a healthy partnership with an organization that is much larger than your own; in the next article we’ll look at partnering with a much smaller organization.

Reasons for partnering with a bigger organization

1. Voice and representation

A larger organization tends to have a greater voice, which can be especially important when working in politically sensitive areas. Working with a larger organization may provide an additional level of security for your organization and its staff.

2. Resources

A larger organization usually has access to a bigger, stable donor base that can be quickly mobilized. This can lead to faster project implementation and a more graduated phase-out. And big organizations tend to have lots of specialized personnel (for example, a gender specialist) who may be able to support the project.

3. Training

A larger organization may have a training program that they are willing to extend to some of your staff members. They may also be willing to offer specific workshops for your organization or the project team.

Risks of working with a bigger organization

1. Loss of focus

Sometimes the allure of working with an organization that seems to have it all together can be great enough to convince smaller organizations to deviate from their original mission. Ad hoc programs might be added just to accommodate the larger organization’s dreams.

2. Inadequate resource-sharing

Project funding should be shared based on the project workload, and that should include the administration allowance. A larger organization may have a standard administrative rate that eats up almost all of the donors’ allowed administration, leaving your smaller organization with few resources to do your work.

3. Unspoken reporting expectations

Larger organizations tend to have internal accountability structures that are important for their organizational integrity. They may forget to outline that they expect you to comply with these structures, and you can find yourself suddenly scrambling to produce a monthly report using an unfamiliar reporting format.

Forging a healthy partnership

1. Assess the larger organization’s health

Big does not always equal healthy. Do your regular partner check on a larger organization. Try to understand how they work, and what this might mean for your organization when working with them.

2. Stay true to your vision

Did your organization start because you wanted to help HIV/AIDS orphans? Then stick with that vision. Don’t start a market gardening program just because it affords you the opportunity to work with another organization.

3. Don’t do it for the money or the donors

A partnership with a larger organization is unlikely to benefit the smaller one financially. A bigger structure requires money to maintain it, which means that a large chunk of management and administrative funds will be reserved for the larger agency. And don’t expect the organization to hand over a list of its hard-earned donors.

4. Know your value

Understand what it is you bring to the relationship. Do you have important relationships with the community? Do you have local or regional experience? Do you have the sectoral expertise that is needed for a particular project? If you know what it is that you’re bringing to the partnership, you’ll be in a better position to talk about your mutual expectations.

5. Expect capacity-building

One of the greatest benefits for your smaller organization in this partnership could be the capacity-building, or strengthening of your own organization. Discuss this with your potential partner, and develop as a minimum a training plan for project-related staff.

6. Create a partnership agreement

Get it in writing! Create a partnership agreement with the larger organization. They may have a template that they like to use; if so, examine it to make sure that it covers all of the important elements. Make sure that you sit down and discuss the agreement with the organization: don’t just accept a filled-in agreement.

Larger organizations are usually excellent partners because of their experience and expertise. Do your homework, stay true to yourself, and get your expectations down on paper, and you’ll be well on your way to having a healthy, mutually beneficial partnership.

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Related
Finding a project partner
Creating a partnership agreement
Partnering with a smaller organization