The Two Types of Nonprofits: The "Lone Wolf" vs. the "Collaboration Champ"

Hey nonprofit leader, what’s keeping you awake at night? In my experience, there are two types of nonprofits. No, I'm not talking about your classic 501(c)(3) vs. 501(c)(6) debate. Let's skip the IRS lingo and get to the real heart of it: how nonprofits go about achieving their mission.

Picture this: you've got your Lone Wolves—these are the nonprofits that look at their donors and clients and think, “Mine, all mine!” They’re the ones eyeing you suspiciously if you even hint at collaboration, because they view every donor and client as strictly their territory.

Then there are the Collaboration Champs, those organizations that see the bigger picture and say, “Hey, we’re working with similar folks. Maybe we can join forces to make an even bigger impact?”

The truth is, nonprofits can amplify their community impact by working together. Think about it: pooling resources, sharing expertise, tackling issues side by side. It’s like having a team of superheroes, each with their own superpower, instead of trying to save the world solo.

Collaboration can help nonprofits streamline their processes, reduce redundancies, and nix inefficiencies. That means more mission, less money-wasting. It also opens the door to new communities, volunteer bases, and yes—new donors! Plus, sharing resources doesn’t just improve efficiency—it gives everyone access to a more comprehensive support network.

And here’s a little insider tip: partnerships aren’t just about doing “more with less.” They’re a fantastic way to retain staff (hello, happier employees!) and improve return on investment. From co-working spaces to shared admin support, partnerships can create economies of scale that make everyone’s life easier and budgets a little friendlier.

So, if you’re running a nonprofit, maybe it’s time to ask yourself: are you more of a Lone Wolf, or a Collaboration Champ? If it’s the former, consider loosening your grip—because sometimes, it really does take a village (or, in this case, a whole nonprofit community) to make the biggest impact. And perhaps if you take a more collaborative approach, you will find that you sleep better at night. Sweet dreams!