Starting a non-profit (or for-profit) can be isolating and at times overwhelming. As a founder it can feel like you’re supposed to have all the answers. But that mindset will hold you back. It will keep you from forming the alliances and partnerships that will actually take you and your impact to the next level.

Let’s dive a little deeper ….

Maximizing Impact
By teaming up with like-minded organizations, you not only amplify your reach but also bring a level of maturity to your projects. It's the sweet spot where experience meets enthusiasm, creating a powerful force for change. When WIT was looking to elevate our students’ experience, we turned to UCSD. We knew that adding a college-credit component was something that would bring great value to our students and validate WIT’s educational programming. It’s a partnership that is over 10 years strong!

Network Building 2.0
Partnering with reputable organizations not only adds credibility to your cause but also elevates your reputation within the non-profit scene. But when it comes to networking, remember to be patient. The goal shouldn’t be about transactional experiences, it should be about building relationships. During my 15 years of running WIT, I’ve met people who I really clicked with but we didn’t do official work together until years later. It was during those years that trust was built and so now the working relationship is effortless.

Efficiency for Impact
Let's face it – budgeting is a challenge when it comes to running a non-profit. Partnering up means efficient resource utilization, avoiding unnecessary expenses, and making each dollar count. It's about strategic spending to maximize impact. WIT does this a lot when it comes to running our events. We don’t want to spend the high fees for renting out a space, so we find companies or organizations that will offer up space at no cost, but in return WIT will recognize their generosity in press releases, articles, and TV appearances. Wins all around!

So as you navigate the dynamic world of nonprofits, consider the power of building partnerships. And don’t worry about who gets the credit. If your mission is to make an impact then that’s the main focus.