In nonprofit advocacy, no organization is an island. The most successful advocacy efforts come from coalitions—true partnerships where organizations unite, not just in mission, but in action. Coalitions amplify voices, pool resources, and create lasting impact. But too often, we encounter coalitions in name only (CINOs), where coordination is lacking, communication falters, and the potential for real change is lost.
So, what separates effective coalitions from CINOs? Here’s how advocacy organizations can build coalitions that matter:
1. Clear Goals and Objectives
Imagine navigating a ship without a map—chaotic, right? The same applies to coalitions without clear goals. From day one, members must establish shared objectives. Are you aiming to pass specific legislation, raise public awareness, or influence policy? Clear goals keep everyone focused, minimizing distractions and maximizing impact.
Example: A coalition sets a clear goal to protect gender-affirming care for all people in the state. This shared objective drives the coalition’s legislative efforts and public messaging.
2. Effective Internal Communication
Communication isn’t just sending emails—it's about staying connected. Recently, I noticed an organization absent from the Capitol. When I asked another coalition member if they had checked in, the answer was no. In a real coalition, you don’t let partners go silent for weeks without reaching out. Regular meetings, quick check-ins, and open channels are essential. Without them, even the strongest coalitions crumble.
Example: The coalition creates a group chat and holds bi-weekly Zoom meetings to share updates, discuss challenges, and strategize, ensuring every organization remains in the loop.
3. Defined Roles and Responsibilities
Coalitions thrive when every member knows their role. One organization might lead legislative efforts, another could handle media relations, and another might take charge of digital campaigns. Defined roles prevent overlap and ensure that each organization plays to its strengths, making the coalition more effective.
Example: Legislative targets are divided based on each organization's influence and capacity, ensuring that the most connected advocates handle key lawmakers while protecting everyone's energy and avoiding burnout.
4. Building Trust and Mutual Respect
Trust isn’t built overnight. It’s cultivated through transparency, respect, and consistent collaboration. Trust allows coalition members to lean on each other during setbacks and celebrate together in victories. Without trust, even the best-laid plans falter.
Example: Coalition members commit to transparency by sharing their strategies, challenges, and successes openly, fostering trust through honest communication.
5. Resource Sharing and Coordinated Strategy
A coalition isn’t just a support group—it’s a well-oiled machine. Meeting regularly, dividing legislative targets, coordinating advocacy events, and aligning messaging are non-negotiables. Maybe one organization has a strong grassroots network and takes the lead with lawmakers, while another leverages its stellar communications team to craft compelling messages. Another might excel at digital strategy, driving online campaigns. Each partner contributes, ensuring the coalition functions seamlessly.
Example: An organization with a robust volunteer network leads grassroots advocacy, while another with media connections manages press releases and op-eds, and a tech-savvy partner runs social media campaigns.
This also means coordinating on a unified communications strategy—calling the bill the same name, sharing talking points, and ensuring consistency across messaging. A strong coalition speaks with one voice, making it clear to advocates, lawmakers, and the public that members are aligned. When coalitions use the same language, it reinforces their credibility, helps supporters recognize partners, and strengthens the overall impact of the advocacy effort.
Example: If one organization calls a bill "HB4545: The Safe Schools Act" while another refers to it as "Making our Schools Safer Act," the message gets muddled. Instead, the coalition agrees to use "The Safe Schools Act" in all public materials, ensuring that advocates, media, and lawmakers easily recognize and rally around the issue.
6. Addressing Potential Challenges Up Front
Before diving into coalition work, it's essential to discuss potential challenges. Are there differences in tactics—perhaps one organization is more bold while another is more cautious? How will you handle list sharing—will you share contacts or maintain separate lists? What about messaging—how will differences be resolved to present a unified front? Addressing these questions early helps prevent conflicts down the road and ensures the coalition operates smoothly.
Example: A coalition agrees to collect new advocates' contact info during events and through actions and share them with all member organizations, ensuring equitable access to supporters and fostering collaboration.
Effective coalitions don’t just exist—they thrive through strategic action, mutual support, and relentless dedication. By fostering clear goals, open communication, defined roles, trust, and strategic collaboration, nonprofit advocacy organizations can transform their coalitions into unstoppable forces for change.
Connect with Snyder Strategies
Building an effective coalition takes more than good intentions—it requires strategy, coordination, and deep expertise in nonprofit advocacy. That’s where I come in. With decades of experience leading advocacy efforts, organizing coalitions, and navigating the complexities of policy change, I help organizations turn partnerships into power.
Perhaps you need an Advocacy Roadmap to align your coalition’s efforts. A skilled facilitator to ensure productive collaboration? Someone to herd the cats and keep momentum strong? I provide tailored support to help advocacy coalitions:
Develop clear, actionable strategies to achieve policy wins
Strengthen internal communication and coordination
Align messaging and mobilization efforts for maximum impact
Overcome common coalition challenges before they derail progress
Keep members engaged, informed, and working toward shared goals
Whether you’re launching a new coalition or revitalizing an existing one, I can help you build the structure, strategy, and momentum needed to make real change. Let’s talk about how Snyder Strategies can support your advocacy work—reach out today.
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