| Collaboration is a process where two or more parties | | | | appropriate agency from the beginning, service |
| get together to work on common goals. The | | | | providers will not be spending time on shuffling people |
| advantages of collaboration are numerous, and they | | | | from one organization to another. Instead, it will free up |
| benefit all parties involved. This article lists what I feel | | | | their time to serve more people. |
| are the major advantages of collaborating with your | | | | 5. Collaboration helps organizations to pool their |
| colleagues. | | | | resources to meet a common goal. For example, it |
| 1. Collaboration is educational. It helps all participants | | | | may be cost prohibitive for one organization to host a |
| learn about each other's agencies, mission, programs, | | | | "technology for persons with disabilities" conference. |
| services, eligibility criteria, etc. In addition, when you | | | | However, if they partner with other organizations |
| collaborate with your peers, they often know about | | | | serving people with disabilities, each organization could |
| other resources with which you may not be familiar. | | | | contribute a portion of what it takes to finance the |
| Collaboration helps build your knowledge base. And, of | | | | conference. Also, grantors like to see collaborative |
| course, the more knowledge you possess and | | | | efforts, and in some cases, they are more willing to |
| resources you are aware of, the more you will be able | | | | fund organizations that collaborate on specific projects. |
| to help your clients. | | | | 6. Collaboration allows you access to each other's |
| 2. Collaboration results in appropriate referrals. When | | | | skills, experience, and expertise. This not only improves |
| you collaborate with other professionals, and | | | | your knowledge base, but it can also save |
| understand their programs and services, you are able | | | | organizations money, as they would be less likely to |
| to make more appropriate referrals, when needed. For | | | | hire a consultant. |
| example, you may not have a service that Client A | | | | 7. Collaboration provides coordinated training |
| needs, but you know that Organization XYZ does. | | | | opportunities. When organizations collaborate, they are |
| When you make the right referral, it saves time and is | | | | in a better position to jointly develop and offer a wide |
| a win-win situation for all parties involved. | | | | variety of training opportunities that benefit their staff |
| 3. Collaboration helps prevent the duplication of | | | | members. This can save them money, as they are |
| services. When you collaborate with your peers, | | | | pooling their resources, offsetting the costs involved |
| individuals will be directed to the agency that is in the | | | | with training. |
| best position to provide those services and programs | | | | While it is true that collaborating with other nonprofit |
| that they need most. This frees up time for | | | | organizations takes time and energy, the advantages |
| professionals to focus on the provision of services for | | | | far outweigh the disadvantages. Collaboration helps |
| which they are most skilled and qualified. | | | | agencies to share expertise, make appropriate |
| 4. Collaboration saves time. When professionals | | | | referrals, avoid the duplication of services, save |
| collaborate, they can reach more people, as they will | | | | money, and ensure a seamless system of service |
| know exactly where to send people to meet their | | | | delivery. It is a win-win situation for all parties involved. |
| specific needs. When an individual is referred to the | | | | |