Partnerships may have many varied attributes and applications. Before deciding how you would like to partner with a community group, it may be useful to consider some of the following partnership forms:
- Staff volunteering
- Gifts in kind
- Payroll deductions and gift matching
- Pro bono services
- Staff fundraising
- Cause related marketing
Box 5 offers some partnership suggestions according to the area requiring focus in the business. Of course, a partnership could involve one or a combination of several of the above programs, or indeed may not fit neatly into any of these forms (see Box 6). Each of these six partnership formats is discussed in closer detail over the next six sections. The community group you choose to partner with will obviously need to have a large amount of input at this stage. They may offer ideas as to what type of partnership will work best for them.
Box 5 An internal focus to improve staff motivation, internal cohesion (needed perhaps as a result of structural change), staff training etc. may be achieved through:
- Staff volunteering
- Staff fundraising
- Workplace deducitons and gift matching
- Pro bono work
An exernal focus working towards risk management, community reputation, stakeholder reputation, etc. maybe achieved through:
- Cause related marketing
- Gifts of premises
- Gifts in kind
- Pro bono work
Box 6
The aim of Fiber Glass International (FGI) and Mission Australia Build a Boat project was to train a group of unemployed young people to build an Olympic-class yacht for people with disabilities.
The partnership began in 1999 and the benefits are twofold. First, it has resulted in the produciton of a purpose built boat allowing people with disabilities to enjoy the water and complete on equal term. Second, the project has provided on opportunity for disadvantaged youth to gain skills and work experience, building their self-esteem and helping them move from unemployment to a career. In addition, the training of young people has addressed a shortage in skilled workers for the business.
Throughout the partnership, FGI supported the program by providing glass, fibreglass, equipment, advice and training.