Partnerships with the private sector

“The only time I hear from local community and faith groups is when they ask me for donations”, a complaint repeated by people across the private sector. One faith group took a different approach and invited local businesses to help with promoting and marketing their activities, using their expertise rather than asking for money.

 

Relationships between faith-based groups and the business sector can become confused by assumptions that faith groups are always asking for money, or that businesses are not interested in their local community. However, using clear and respectful communication can lead to releasing the strengths and skills available in a partnership.

 

Such a partnership will expose different priorities, which need to be understood and appreciated. A private sector partner may be focused on hard outcomes and benefits, whereas a faith sector partner may be more aware of the process and the people involved, particularly where volunteers are involved.

 

The solution clearly is to work to one another’s strengths. That may not involve money, but rather resources, whether it be skills, facilities or local knowledge. Interpreting one another’s culture and focus will help, as will spotting the positive opportunities and benefits. Such partnerships can release energy and enterprise, and will challenge the partners’ aims and vision. They can also enable community and faith groups to draw on expertise and resources when considering tendering for commissioned services and bidding for new initiatives in the public sector.