3.10: Partnering Organizations
Partnering or collaborating organizations can greatly add to your project and proposal. Your partners can contribute their ideas, personnel, in-kind contributions, and additional project funding. They can also enhance your proposal's credibility if they connect positively with the funding agency. Some grant-funding agencies require you to include partners to expand the reach of their contribution. Lining up additional partners shows you are organized and have external buy-in for your project.
For example, let's say you submit a grant proposal for a project that will teach students how to create alternative energy solutions. Embracing a company or organization that offers solar energy solutions or manufactures wind power turbines could enhance your proposal tremendously. Your partners could serve on your project advisory board, offer ideas on the skills they want their employees to have, or offer internships or apprenticeships to students who graduate from your program. These types of collaborations signal to funders that experts in the field trust your project ideas.
Funders want to see that partners are truly participating and not just lending their name because they are your friends or have similar interests.
When other partners are involved, you should provide specific, detailed information about their role in your initiative. For example, include a copy of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) – a business document that details the scope, monetary and other contributions, and work they will perform. These details will lend further credibility to your agreement and demonstrate your plan to work together to achieve your project goals. Funders want to see that partners are truly participating and not just lending their name because they are your friends or have similar interests.
Read this definition of a memo of understanding.