How can you collaborate with other organizations when building a grassroots organizing campaign?

1 Identify potential allies

The first step to collaborating with other organizations is to identify who shares your vision, values, and goals. You can start by mapping out the landscape of your issue and finding out who is already working on it, who is affected by it, and who has influence or resources that can help you. You can also look for organizations that have complementary skills, expertise, or networks that can enhance your campaign. For example, you might partner with a research institute, a media outlet, or a faith-based group that can provide evidence, visibility, or credibility to your cause.

2 Establish clear roles and expectations

Once you have identified potential allies, you need to establish clear roles and expectations for each partner. This means defining what each organization will contribute to the campaign, how they will communicate and coordinate with each other, and how they will measure and share their progress and results. You also need to agree on the decision-making process, the conflict resolution mechanism, and the exit strategy for the partnership. Having a written agreement or memorandum of understanding can help you formalize these terms and avoid misunderstandings or disputes later on.

3 Build trust and respect

Collaborating with other organizations requires trust and respect, which are not built overnight. You need to invest time and effort in getting to know your partners, understanding their perspectives and motivations, and acknowledging their strengths and contributions. You also need to communicate openly and honestly, listen actively and empathetically, and give and receive feedback constructively. Moreover, you need to respect the diversity and autonomy of your partners, and avoid imposing your agenda or dominating the partnership.

4 Leverage your strengths and resources

Collaborating with other organizations can help you leverage your strengths and resources, and create synergies and efficiencies that can benefit your campaign. For example, you can pool your funds, staff, volunteers, or materials to reduce costs and increase capacity. You can also share your knowledge, skills, tools, or contacts to improve your strategies and tactics. Furthermore, you can coordinate your actions, messages, or events to amplify your voice and influence.

5 Celebrate your successes and learn from your challenges

Collaborating with other organizations can also help you celebrate your successes and learn from your challenges. You can recognize and appreciate the achievements and efforts of your partners, and celebrate the milestones and outcomes of your campaign. You can also reflect on the challenges and difficulties you faced, and identify the lessons and best practices that can improve your future collaborations. By celebrating and learning together, you can strengthen your relationships and sustain your momentum.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?