At a time when media lines have begun to blend and blur, partnerships have become a sought after commodity. Organizations are finding they may be better-equipped to assess and meet the needs of their audiences by collaborating with like-minded organizations around capacity, content and/or distribution.

New communications technologies also offer potential for building effective partnerships. For example: A natural science museum in Texas partnered with its local public television station to produce and distribute educational programming via satellite. A media organization and computer support network in Pennsylvania traded in-kind services, alleviating high costs and ensuring quality services. And a medical center in Illinois collaborated with a bilingual youth radio station to promote wellness messages to Latino youth.

All of these organizations recognized both the strength inherent in numbers and the importance of communicating quality content to the maximum number of people. While the benefits of partnerships are numerous, it is critical to choose your partners wisely and be clear as to why the organizations are partnering. The resources provided here share the lessons and successes of partnerships, providing important questions to consider before engaging in any collaboration.

Tools & Resources:
Use these how-to articles and tip sheets to help your nonprofit partner effectively.

"Meeting the Collaboration Challenge"
The free 86-page guide from the Drucker Foundation has a number of helpful worksheets and practical advice for any organization considering strategic alliances.

Partners in Public Service: A Working Guide for Public Broadcasters and Community Organizations
The staff involved in eight partnerships between public television stations and museums, libraries and historical societies share their experiences with collaboration in an effort to help pave the path for organizations breaking similar ground.

Twelve Steps for Effective Partnerships
The Institute of Museum and Library Sciences' (IMLS) True Needs, True Partners represents the culmination and analysis of fifteen partnerships between schools and museums. In this overview of the publication, elements defined by IMLS as essential for successful partnerships are identified.

Forging Nonprofit Alliances
Jane Arsenault demonstrates how by joining forces, nonprofits can use consolidation as a strategic tool to enhance rather than undermine mission, to focus on their real goals. Arsenault also covers the negotiation process and defines roles and responsibilities of all staff and board involved. Published in 1996 by Jossey Bass; orderable online from Amazon.com.

Sound Partners for Community Health Toolkit
Benton's Sound Partners Program supports partnerships between public radio stations and local organizations that are working together to educate and stimulate discussion about health issues in their communities. The Web site's toolkit includes checklists, worksheets and partnership assessments.

Best Practices 2000 Partnership Resources
This media partnership project of Wisconsin Public Television has created a number of excellent resources for all organizations thinking about collaboration - whether it is for the first time or it is an informal arrangement with a long-standing partner. Their resources include a top ten list of lessons learned and a "prenuptial contract," which guides users through critical questions for those first-steps.

Pew Partnership for Civic Change
The Pew Partnership for Civic Change, a civic research organization that tracks and shares solutions for strengthening communities, believes problem-solving begins with strong leadership and community relationships. Their Web site, through articles and storytelling, offers strategies and resources for individuals and organizations tackling tough issues in their communities.

Community Partnership Toolkit
The Kellogg Foundation, with the help of seven organizations around the United States, has put together a three-step resource for organizations working to build and maintain partnerships. Each of the resources, which were all developed and tested by the seven organizations, identifies and describes how the tools can be used.

The Quilt Project: Partnership Tools
The QUILT Project Web site includes a wealth of resources to help organizations start and facilitate partnerships. Although focused on early childhood education programs, tools include comprehensive checklists and templates, as well as articles that offer suggestions from how to lead meetings to negotiating partnership agreements.