How Can Nonprofits Better Collaborate And Share Resources With Each Other?

In an era where collaboration is key to maximizing impact, nonprofits are increasingly seeking ways to work together more effectively.

When we recently asked the Blue Avocado community “How can nonprofits better collaborate and share resources with each other?“ — once again, nonprofit leaders came through!

Here’s a summary of some of the best answers we received:

Explore Shared Employment for Key Roles

At the Creative Education Foundation (CEF), we are convening Creative Problem Solving-facilitated conversations to address this very challenge. One idea we are exploring is shared employment of staff.

Not all nonprofits need or can afford full-time workers, but they do need expertise in programs, marketing, finance, tech, and more. We are exploring collaborative employment opportunities in which two or more nonprofit organizations share staff and split the bill for paying for that staff.

This will allow nonprofits to get the expertise they need while allowing nonprofit professionals to get competitive salaries.
— Beth from Creative Education Foundation

Five Key Strategies for Successful Nonprofit Partnerships

Nonprofits can better collaborate and share resources by focusing on clear goals, strong communication, trust-building, and leveraging technology. Key strategies include developing strategic alliances for efficiency, sharing data and platforms to reduce redundancies, pooling resources for shared initiatives like fundraising or advocacy, and creating formal agreements that outline roles and mutual benefits to foster successful, reciprocal partnerships.

1. Build a Foundation of Trust and Open Communication
   Foster open communication with regular updates and idea-sharing, build trust by acknowledging contributions, and promote transparency to strengthen collaboration.
2. Establish Clear Goals and Structure
   Define shared objectives, align missions and values, and create strong governance models for clarity and focus.
3. Leverage Technology and Shared Resources
   Use digital tools, shared infrastructure, and collaborative fundraising to maximize reach and minimize costs.
4. Develop Strategic Partnerships
   Identify complementary strengths, pursue alliances, and explore structural options such as fiscal sponsorships for efficient collaboration.
5. Maintain Reciprocal Relationships
   Ensure mutual benefit, uphold shared values, and provide ongoing feedback to maintain alignment.

— Erica from Florida Food Policy Council

Shared Resources and Possible Regional Conference

Definitely by sharing resources and costs — i.e., office space, grant writing/HR/accounting functions.

In a dream world, there would be a two-day regional nonprofit connection conference where we could all gather to network for a day and give three-minute overviews of our mission to find potential partners. On Day 2, we would do the same thing — but for funders/donors/financial advisors.
— Melissa from Centennial Area Health Education Center

Fiscal Sponsorships Boost Efficiency and Collaboration

Increase the use of fiscal sponsorships. Every good idea doesn’t have to be its own nonprofit. It could be a project of another established 501(c)(3).

Fiscal sponsorship models create efficient use of resources, collaboration among aligned projects, and help reduce admin costs — allowing sponsored initiatives to focus on outcomes while increasing unrestricted revenue for sponsors.
— Hildie from GrowSmart Maine

Cross-Organizational Training Creates Connections and Resource Sharing

One way is to get their people in shared training events. When staff are not isolated internally, they form natural connections with other programs — and collaboration follows organically.
— James Freeman from Training Grounds

Nonprofits Merge to Better Serve Community

Nonprofits with overlapping missions and service areas can collaborate in numerous ways: referrals, grant writing, co-hosting events, shared spaces and resources.

We recently merged and acquired another nonprofit after realizing that combining our efforts was the best way to serve our community.
— Jeane Spada-Allgood from LEAD with Horses

Collaborative Training Builds Nonprofit Partnerships

In my work with Take FIVE Training – 5 Key Steps to Focused, Impactful Volunteer Engagement, I’ve seen firsthand how nonprofits can collaborate effectively. Joint training helps attract funders, exchange ideas, and forge lasting partnerships.
— Janet Capetty from Take FIVE Training

Collaboration on Leased Spaces Averts Budget Crisis

With pending budget cuts, we’re reviewing all leased community spaces and seeking to share offices and utilities with agencies that share our mission.
— Patricia Parker from Family and Community Resources, Inc.

Nonprofits Partner to Create Mentoring Pipeline

Our local nonprofits recommend women from their programs to our new BreakThrough Mentoring program. We coordinate with them for applications, updates, and advisory input — ensuring wraparound support for participants.
— Linda Barker from AAUW Vero Beach

Strategic Partnerships Amplify Nonprofit Impact

Our partnerships with Food Rescue DC, Hungry Harvest, and others allow us to expand access to nutritious food, inclusive arts programming, and HIV/AIDS services — leveraging collective expertise for greater impact.
— Paul Marengo from The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center

Highlighting Intangible Assets for Greater Impact

Beyond quantitative measures, nonprofits bring intangible assets — expertise, trust, and community connection — that are vital for collaboration. Linking with similar organizations that share a mission can be transformative.
— Dr. Barbara Milon from Division of Civilian Oversight, City of St. Louis

Creating Statewide Consortium to Generate Shared Savings

Vermont’s five Area Agencies on Aging formed the Vermont Aging Network Consortium (VANC) to centralize IT, accounting, and group insurance purchasing. The collaboration is projected to save hundreds of thousands annually while opening new revenue streams.
— John Mandeville from Central Vermont Council on Aging

Leading with Strengths, Not Weaknesses

Be courageous! Center the people we serve — not our organizations. Start from an asset-based lens, asking “What strengths and relationships can we bring?” rather than focusing solely on gaps.
— Cindy Wilcox from Human Services Coalition

Rethinking Redundancy: A Call for Mergers & Deep Collaboration

Too often, nonprofits compete rather than collaborate — duplicating services and stretching limited resources. A shift toward structured collaboration or even mergers can unify missions and reduce inefficiency.

By pooling talent, centralizing equipment, and creating shared evaluation frameworks, organizations can expand access, improve equity, and sustain community-centered programs more effectively.
— Cathy Phelps from Community-Centered Trauma Solutions

Note: The opinions and product/service recommendations expressed above are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily represent those of Blue Avocado or Lago Alianza. Submissions may be edited for length and clarity.