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As capitalist growth moves forward at light speed, Jennifer Hartz shares an evergreen article on the importance of building communication lines and skills and strategic partnerships among private, public, and independent sectors.

Nonprofit organizations and business volunteers need each other, but sometimes they speak different languages or don’t hear each other’s needs and assets.

Companies have a broad set of tools – Time, Talent, Treasure, and often goods and services.  Charities are doing a better job at educating their clients, donors, sponsors, and volunteers about what they need, what they don’t need, and why.  Please know they’re not ungrateful for your involvement and support, but efficiency matters for charities with limited budgets. (Ex. Goodwill has adopted standards for what items they can and cannot accept; this is good.)

NONPROFIT SECTOR IS BIG BUSINESS

There are 2.6 million NGO’s in the United States; 25% of the population is working for pay in these groups.  Charities are a significant portion of our GDP.  There are 32.5 million businesses in our country, directly employing 35% people.  Note: many businesses and charities sell products and services that are often paid for via government contracts, grants, or loans.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the world’s awareness of the inter-dependence of the three sectors is getting a lesson in its true power – for better and for worse.  Let’s dive into a best-practice used by savvy nonprofits and businesses: Strategic Partnerships.

EMPLOYEE VOLUNTEERING & MANAGEMENT

Hands-on direct service, donating physical items, serving in leadership roles on boards or committees, pro bono work, skilled labor, and bringing expertise to NGO’s.

Employee Volunteer Management – often a role shared by charity and company, but the lion’s share of the work is led by the subject-matter experts, i.e. the nonprofits. They know best what their cause needs, but most have a hard time getting funding for critical overhead: office and service spaces and their maintenance; travel; staff for administration and HR; financial fundraising and accounting; and IT.  The role of volunteer recruiter and manager is critical.

Key points include:

• Funds and infrastructure
• Remote work
• Sector interdependence

Read the full article, Strategic Partnerships among Private, Public, and Independent Sectors, on CorporateHartz.com.