NONPROFITS
Aid organizations benefit in joint efforts

By Kelvin H. Taketa

One had the trucks and the other had the storefronts. So it seems that the recently announced partnership between Big Brothers Big Sisters of Honolulu Inc. and Goodwill Industries of Hawai'i Inc. is a match made in heaven. The collection and transportation of donated goods by the former to be sorted and sold through the Goodwill stores makes sense for everyone.

With more than 6,000 nonprofit organizations registered in the state and the anticipation of difficult economic times ahead, we might expect to see more of these kinds of collaborations, or even more formal mergers of organizations like the Easter Seals Hawai'i and Special Education Center of Hawai'i merger last year. For many nonprofits, the notion of doing more with less these days means taking untraditional steps to ensure that they run as effectively and efficiently as their resources allow.

Partnerships can help organizations respond to challenging external forces or new opportunities. "The key to a successful partnership is the ability for all parties to stay focused on a mission and get past their natural concern for their own organizations," said strategic restructuring expert David La Piana, of La Piana Associates Inc. Recent examples include private, public and non-profit landowners coming together to develop and fund watershed stewardship; a group of human service agencies sharing facilities, technology and equipment; and culture and arts organizations working together as part of a joint marketing agreement.

Arts with Aloha is a local partnership of 12 nonprofit culture and arts organizations with a mission to promote cultural tourism on O'ahu. Over the past six years, this collaboration has evolved into an impressive marketing force that encourages visitors to explore the musical, visual and performing arts on the island. "The partnership is successful because it's a grass-roots effort among all of us," said Charlene Aldinger of the Honolulu Academy of Arts, a member of Arts with Aloha. Aldinger also says that the partnership has created an opportunity to network where there wasn't one before. "Because of the strong relationships established, we work together more often and more effectively. We share ideas and even help to sell tickets to each other's events. It definitely has helped to raise up the arts community."

Dennis Brown, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Honolulu, sees his organization's recent partnership with Goodwill Industries of Hawai'i as a win-win situation for all involved. "It was a perfect fit at the perfect time," said Brown. "In Goodwill, we found a partner that is also on a major growth path. Once we met and began talking with its board and staff, it was obvious that we had much in common and that we each could fulfill a need that the other had."

Laura Robertson, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Hawai'i, agreed.

"A key reason why our partnership (with Big Brothers Big Sisters) was a success was because early on in the process, our two boards of directors sat down and outlined the key issues that each of our organizations needed to have as part of the agreement," said Robertson. "Our boards agreed that we wanted the best for each other, and by understanding each other's needs early on, it helped to keep our negotiations on track."

While engaging in partnerships can be challenging, more nonprofits are realizing that they can capture great organization and mission value by working together. Thinking outside the box by these organizations can increase the quality of life for all of us.

Kelvin H. Taketa is president and chief executive of the Hawai'i Community Foundation, a statewide charitable services and grant-making institution endowed with contributions from many donors. For information, call 537-6333.