Recently I read “Fundraisers – ‘Stop firefighting and see the fire’” and thought about how collaboration and technology is changing the way organization go about their job.
Are we seeing collaboration in New Zealand – short answer, from my perspective we’re aren’t. Most organizations are for whatever reason afraid of sharing what they’re doing, how they’re doing it with others in the sector.
Reading “We are currently part of a consortium of 23 North West hospices who have collaborated on a new Granada TV advert. It is the first of what we hope will be many collaborative partnerships across the hospice movement.” Made me think about how many organizations we have working in the same field could collaborate to spread their message.
Imagine the cost savings, potential increased reach and resultant support – why are we short sighted?
Surely the time has come for more collaboration, more sharing of ideas, tools and tricks.
Sure, some will say, but they’re our competition. But competition there can be competition without opposition – support for the common good can out weigh the negatives.
Claire Houghton says in her piece “Local charity fundraising is often too focused on the fire fighting to see the fire”.
I say – light the fire, ignite interest in your sector, pick up the phone and have a chat with an organization doing similar work to you – ignite the passion to collaborate and engage on a regular basis.
Don’t fight fires, start them.
charitymattersnz.com 