A Coalition is an alliance of multiple organizations with the common purpose to accomplish a shared goal. Coalitions magnify existing financial and human resources, and can reduce duplication of efforts. They also provide a safety net for advocacy efforts, protecting members against attacks that could derail the coalition’s goal.
A successful coalition depends on a strong political vision, shared priorities and a process for decision making. It requires a willingness to compromise and to recognize that not all groups will agree on every issue. It should include a clear agenda and key objective that is negotiated by the coalition council, and a list of goals for each organization to pursue on its behalf.
People want to feel a sense of ownership over the coalition and its goals – and the value of their participation. They want to be able to build relationships that they can utilize both professionally and personally for future collaborations. They also want to be able to measure the impact of their work.
Recruiting new participants can be a challenge. It is important to assess the current membership of the coalition, identify potential barriers to recruiting, and develop strategies for overcoming those obstacles. Having a high level of quality data and bespoke advocacy tools will help with this effort. New participants may be unsure about the level of commitment required and how it fits with their organization’s mission and values. They may be used to leading their own groups and will need time to adjust to the coalition leadership style.