Power Through Partnerships

Organizations have a strong media tool by capitalizing on the power of partnerships. Partnerships can strengthen organization's work and provide a vast array of opportunities that would usually not be available. When considering partnerships, know that there are two kinds.

• Collaborations: for short-term efforts
• Coalitions: for ongoing or long-term efforts

Finding a partnership where you both have shared goals will allow for a more powerful way of coordinating a range of efforts and developing a highly influential message to your audience. Many nonprofits have found that by working with educational or media outreach strategies, they can improve their chances of receiving funding. Safe Harbor could form partnerships with groups focusing on issues, such as nonviolence, domestic violence, teen and women help, health, and education. For example, the Allstate Foundation and National Network to End Domestic Violence worked together to promote awareness for domestic violence. In the article from Yahoo Finance, they state, "The results of the Allstate-NNEDV partnership are not only impressive, but they also meet an incredible social need while increasing financial literacy and independence for women." They were able to partner together to inform survivors of domestic violence that there are resources available to them to rebuild their lives.

Since my team is working with the REP program that will be installed in numerous high schools in the state, if we needed funding, we could possibly find organizations dealing with educational and teen issues. When choosing a partner in a communications program though, we need to consider the following:

• Does the organization have a past or continuing collaboration in some area?
• Do they have a positive reputation among targeted audiences?
• Do they have the ability to commit a fair share of resources?
• Do they have a track record of working with others successfully?

When communicating with partners and building solidarity, you need to make sure everyone has current information about your issues so they stay "in the loop." This can be done by sending out message memos, emails, letters and reports. It it beneficial to communicate within your own nonprofit organization, as well. All employees should have a mutual understanding and a full briefing on the process-they are a marketing force who knows your vision, values, and mission better than anyone!

Media partnerships are also something nonprofits, like Safe Harbor, could benefit highly from. One of the best partners to associate with is broadcast stations. Recently, many broadcasts operate public affairs programs to help build audiences and bridges to organizations that can help make them a success. For example, Lifetime Television Network became "Television for Women," in 1995. They built strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations around issues like, child care, breast cancer awareness, women sports, and women in politics. This is great news for Safe Harbor! Since Lifetime is dedicated to women issues, maybe in the near future, Safe Harbor could recruit them for a partnership. Lifetime has also produced a movie, Reviving Ophelia, addressing teen domestic violence. This movie makes a powerful impact with young girls and the threat of domestic violence. Together, Safe Harbor and Lifetime, would have the power to strengthen the voices of women and their families. They would create a powerful voice for all women who have suffered and are still suffering from domestic violence.