How to Create Strategic Partnerships & Recruit Donors

We are excited to have Mike Ward as our special guest for this episode to take on the important topic of developing strategic partnerships and acquiring new donors. Mike is now heavily involved in the nonprofit scene in Ottawa with a long career as a Canadian diplomat who held senior assignments at Canadian embassies and consulates in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Poland, Ukraine, the United States & Thailand.

In this episode, we speak to Mike about the many benefits associations gain when they create in strategic partnerships; offering better value to members and sharing admin tasks, do name just a couple. Partnerships allow organizations to have capabilities that are not available in-house and they broaden the reach of their work by leaps and bounds. However, good partnerships don't just happen, they are part science and part art! Mike shares his formula for developing strategic partners and donors with us. 

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We list here the questions we ask Mike in the podcast with their time stamps for you to easily reference the topics that most interested you:

02:08
Mike, can you tell us a bit about yourself?

04:00
What inspired you to work in the nonprofit and volunteer areas?

05:08
Given your experience with various organizations, why is it important for organizations to build alliances in their ecosystem?  

09:50
What are some of the types of partnerships that nonprofits should consider?

13:38
I understand that you are working with the Multifaith Housing Initiative, on the Veterans’ House project. How are the alliances helping you to grow your initiative? Can you tell us about the project?

18:28
So let’s go into this a bit more. You have a group of qualified and vetted service providers. How do you maintain partner relationships over a long period of time?

23:35
What Risk Mitigation steps do you typically take?

24:50
Can you share some of your secrets to do cold outreach, say for potential financial donors?

33:03
You are actively working in the nonprofit area in Ottawa, how is your work making an impact in the community?

36:32
What would be your key takeaway for our audience?

37:37
What personal habit has contributed the most to your success?

38:52
Can you share a digital tool or a strategy you find highly valuable in your work?

39:40
How can people get in touch with you?

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