This useful tool may be a help to organisations thinking of working more closely together.

“Collaborative working describes joint working by two or more organisations in order to better fulfil their purposes, while remaining as separate organisations. ”

This may relate to any aspect of the charities' activity, including administration, fundraising, resource sharing, streamlining costs, campaigning and service delivery. Charities can collaborate in a variety of ways, ranging from very informal agreements to large scale contracts. The arrangements can last for a fixed period or be permanent.

View the toolkit here - http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/Charity_requirements_guidance/Your_charitys_activities/Working_with_others/colltoolkit.aspx

Sometimes a decision to work together can lead to a formal merger of two or more charities. As there are different practical and legal issues to consider, the Charity Commission have also produced Making mergers work: Helping you succeed to assist charities that want to explore this option.

View this here - http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/Charity_requirements_guidance/Your_charitys_activities/Working_with_others/mergetoolkit.aspx

Posted 15/02/2011 by matt