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DOWNLOAD THIS PRESENTATION AT

www.creativepotentialconsulting.org

PARTNERSHIPS ARE GOOD

• They multiply the reach of your church

• They provide opportunities that the Church could/should not do alone

• They provide good stewardship of resources

• They expose people to needs in the community

• They position the Church as a serving organization

NOT ALL PARTNERSHIPS ARE HEALTHY

• They place the resources of the Church at risk (people and $)

• They endanger the credibility and reputation of the Church and its mission

• They may be unequal in responsibility and accountability

• They may damage capacity by creating dependency

• They may not yield measurable results

• They may not be sustainable

ASSUME

WHAT A CHURCH SHOULD SEEK IN A HEALTHY PARTNERSHIP• Is the Organization Legal?

Minimal

• 501(C)3 Designation Letter

WHAT A CHURCH SHOULD SEEK IN A HEALTHY PARTNERSHIP• Is the Organization Legal?

Minimal

• 501(C)3 Designation Letter

• Recently reviewed By-laws

• Functioning Board of Directors

• Financially Viable

VET AND VERIFY• Check out the organization of Guidestar

• www.guidestar.org

• Better Business Bureau

• State Attorney General

• United Way

Optimal

• Webpage • 501(C)3 designation letter, EIN• Annual Report• Recent IRS form 990• Board of Directors List

• Names, address, professions

• Recent board meeting minutes

• Recently Audited Financial Statement (RAFS)

Transparency.

IS THE ORGANIZATION FINANCIALLY VIABLE?• RAFS

• At least 50% of income derived LOCALLY

• Reasonable “mix “ of income sources

• Giving USA Foundation• The Center on Philanthropy at Unive

rsity of Indiana

IS THE ORGANIZATION FINANCIALLY VIABLE?• RAFS

• At least 50% of income derived LOCALLY

• Reasonable “mix “ of income sources

• Do their fundraising practices conform to the AFP Code of Ethics?

IS THE ORGANIZATION FINANCIALLY VIABLE?• RAFS

• At least 50% of income derived LOCALLY

• Reasonable “mix “ of income sources

• Do their fundraising practices conform to the AFP Code of Ethics?

• Do they provide their funders with the “Donor Bill of Rights”?

IS THE ORGANIZATION FINANCIALLY VIABLE?• RAFS

• At least 50% of income derived LOCALLY

• Reasonable “mix “ of income sources

• Do their fundraising practices conform to the AFP Code of Ethics?

• Do they provide their funders with the “Donor Bill of Rights”?

IS THE ORGANIZATION FUNCTIONAL?

• Do they possess a Strategic Plan?• Is your Partnership in it?

• Does the organization employ ethical professional/credentialed leaders?

• Are they doing what their MISSION and VISION statements say they are doing?

• Is there REAL EVIDENCE of their service?• Can you identify satisfied clients?

• Do they have a MEASURABLE impact?• Can they prove it?

IS THE ORGANIZATION VOLUNTEER FRIENDLY?

IS THE ORGANIZATION VOLUNTEER FRIENDLY?• Do they have credentialed leadership?

• CVA• CVHA• CAN

• Do they have a designated person on staff (paid or unpaid) responsible for Volunteer success?

• Does the organization provide TAFERR for all unpaid staff?

• Do they work with the Church to ensure that TAFERR is in place for each person?

• Do they TRACK* volunteer involvement?

• Do they provide your church with their tracking documents?

TRACKING, RECORDING, REPORTING

* Does your church Database enable you to identify WHO is serving WHERE and WHEN, doing WHAT at any given time?

IS THE ORGANIZATION SAFE?

• Do they provide LIABILITY insurance for persons volunteering with their organization?

• Is it adequate for the number of persons serving?

• Do they have DIRECTORS’ and OFFICERS’ insurance in force?

• Is there a documented agreement on liability?

SAFETY

• Does the organization provide SEXUAL HARASSMENT training on a consistent basis?

• Have all PAID staff of the organization been subject to BACKGROUND checks, screening and Sexual Harassment training?

• Does the organization have specific training and policies regarding safety and “due care” for “vulnerable populations”,

• i.e., Persons under 18, persons over 65, persons w/ disabilities, persons w/ substance abuse issues?

SAFETY

• Does the organization provide enough STAFF to provide adequate SAFETY training and OVERSIGHT?

• Does the organization have an established “non-discrimination” policy in place? Will your church need to adhere to the policy?

• Does the organization adhere to ADA Guidelines?

• Does the organization value diversity? Does it possess a “Diversity Statement”?

GOODBETTER

BEST

CLOSING THOUGHTS

1. For the safety of your church and the credibility of the Mission, ASK QUESTIONS and EXPECT Documented Responses!

2. Select a FEW strategic partners rather than multiple partners that are not fully vetted.

3. If your church views a particular organization as a STRATEGIC POTENTIAL Partnership, work with the Organizational Leadership to MOVE them toward meeting YOUR Criteria.

4. Be a “capacity-builder” Church.

RESOURCES