Social problems are getting more complex day by day in our interconnected world. To develop a solution for these social challenges, we require innovative and collaborative solutions. By forging unconventional partnerships between nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies, we can tackle these challenges head-on.

Let’s take a look at why unconventional partnerships are so powerful. In this quick guide, we will explore some inspiring partnerships, and share tips for enabling and maintaining impactful alliances.

**Why Collaboration Matters: Lessons from the Canadian Social Sector 
**
**1. There is strength in numbers.**

By pooling their resources, knowledge, and expertise together, organizations create a stronger, more cohesive approach to addressing complex social issues. Habitat for Humanity, an NGO focused on affordable housing, and Canadian businesses like Home Hardware collaborated together to create one such example. [Since 2016, Home Hardware has donated 137,000 pounds of dented, spilled, or otherwise damaged product to Habitat for Humanity.](https://www.observerxtra.com/restore-donations-an-increasing-priority-for-home-hardware/) Boxes filled with goods and products that are slightly damaged but still have lots of life in them can impact thousands of Canadian families in a positive way by helping them build their homes affordably. Together, these organizations identified a share goal and have been able to reduce waste and give back to the community in a tangible way.

**2. You can actually reach for the stars.**
Unconventional collaborations can expand the reach of individual organizations, allowing them to touch more lives and make a broader impact. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) partnered with the Ontario Hockey League in 2014 to increase mental health awareness, prevent suicides, and reduce stigma through their program called Talk Today. Now, the program has expanded across Canada into post-secondary, minor and community-based sports organizations and is continuing to spread awareness about the benefits of positive mental health. This partnership significantly extended the reach of CMHA's mental health initiatives, reaching millions of sports fans across the country. Read about their impact in this [comprehensive evaluation report.](https://ontario.cmha.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Talk-Today-in-CJHL-research-report-EN-final.pdf)

**3. It’s a harmony of skills.**

In such collaborations, each partner contributes unique strengths, perspectives, and talents which  fosters innovation and well-rounded solutions to complex social challenges. Evergreen, a Canadian charity focused on urban sustainability, collaborated with the municipal government of Toronto, which led to the creation of the [Evergreen Brick Works](https://www.evergreen.ca/evergreen-brick-works/), a cultural hub and community center that promotes environmental sustainability and green urban initiatives. 

**4. Credibility Counts.**

Teaming up can enhance each partner's credibility, drawing more attention and resources to their respective causes. The Government of Canada joined forces with the Canadian Red Cross and Walmart Canada in 2015, to launch a disaster relief initiative and this partnership increased public trust in the initiative and resulted in millions of dollars raised to support communities affected by disasters.

**5. You can learn, grow, and thrive.**

Collaboration creates opportunities for learning and growth as partners exchange ideas, insights, and experiences, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. The Trillium Health Partners, comprising three hospitals in Ontario, joined forces with the University of Toronto to establish [the Institute for Better Health](https://www.instituteforbetterhealth.com/) a research center dedicated to improving healthcare delivery and outcomes.

**Secrets to Successful Partnerships: A brief look at Canadian Case Studies**

**1. Align your stars and divide and conquer.**

Start with establishing clear, shared goals and objectives that align with each partner's mission and values. To elucidate, explore the partnership between the [Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF)](https://cancer.ca/en/about-us/media-releases/2017/ccs-cbcf-merger). It is a great example of how aligning your stars can lead to impactful collaborations. The two organizations came together with the shared goal of accelerating progress against breast cancer, which is one of the most common cancers in Canadian women.

**2. Clearly define roles and responsibilities to ensure accountability and avoid confusion.**

To achieve their shared goal, the CCS and CBCF combined their strengths, with clear roles for each partner to maximize their collective impact on cancer research and support. The CCS provided its research expertise, while the CBCF leveraged its fundraising and community engagement strengths. Together, they were able to fund innovative research projects, provide support for people living with breast cancer, and advocate for improved policies and programs.

**3. Keep Talking.**

Foster open, honest communication to build trust and address any challenges that may arise. The collaborative approach of the Tamarack Institute, in their [Vibrant Communities Initiative](https://www.mcconnellfoundation.ca/about/past-initiatives/), which brings together community partners, governments, and funders to address poverty at the local level, relies on strong communication channels to ensure the success of their projects.

**4. Embrace Evolution.**

Commit to continuous learning and improvement by assessing progress, learning from experiences, and adapting strategies as needed. The McConnell Foundation's Innoweave initiative supports Canadian nonprofits in adopting innovative practices, such as social enterprise, impact measurement, and collective impact. Innoweave regularly evaluates its programs to identify areas for improvement and encourages a culture of continuous learning among its partner organizations.

**The bottom line**

Throughout this process, don’t forget to celebrate the journey! Continue to recognize and celebrate partnership successes to strengthen relationships and reinforce the value of collaboration.

Your organization can create lasting change too! All you have to do is think outside the box and explore some potentially game-changing partnerships.

If your organization is interested in exploring ways to solve complex social challenges, we'd love to [hear from you](https://www.reimaginelabs.ca/contact-us).

Arushi Bhardwaj

You need unconventional strategic partnerships to tackle social challenges

# Overview 

Rise Above, a multi-segment initiative by Tropicana, offers tailored programs for varying age groups, focusing on personal growth and skill development. This program, initially structured as an after-school and in-school program is now planning for expansion.

# The Challenge

Rise Above aims to diversify its programs, targeting the older youth group between the ages of 19-29, while also introducing virtual program offerings by 2024. Rise Above faces challenges in streamlining participant registration, strengthening its outreach, and optimizing program curriculum,  for maximized impact.

# The Solution

The implementation plan includes the enhanced curriculum for Rise Above and strategy fo Segmentation between the different Rise Above program offering User-friendly online registration Marketing strategy Evaluation and feedback mechanism. The plan also integrates with the centralized data system that is currently in development at Tropicana across all its programs.

# The Result

Rise Above can amplify its influence, providing participants with a comprehensive set of tools and resources to navigate their life challenges effectively Several outcomes are expected Enhanced engagement Streamlined operation Increased visibility



Rise Above

Design has always shaped our world and the way that we interact with it. You may have seen examples of program design at your nearby community organization that addresses local social issues through their after-school program for children or their housing program. You may have also seen nonprofit organizations that design programs to increase accessibility to healthcare information and services in their communities.

Good program design has the ability to advance the social sector drastically. If designed correctly, social programs can really stand out, improve engagement with their users, and scale up their programs while serving the communities that they are embedded in.

To actually make an impact, and to help the communities that you are embedded in, it is important to adopt a program design approach that puts people first. 

Enter Human-Centered Design, a design approach that focuses on understanding the needs of people, observing how they adapt to change and then co-developing a solution to meet their needs.  A critical component of the design process is empathy. Empathy helps designers draw out perspectives, needs, and motivations from the people that they are designing for. It enables trust and fosters collaboration with their end users, as people are more likely to be involved in the design process when they truly feel heard.

However, human-centered design is not just about creating solutions that meet the needs of people. It is also about creating solutions that are relevant, accessible, and usable. This can only be achieved by first deepening your own understanding of your community’s current state, including beliefs, and any barriers or facilitators to adoption. The design process involves co-development of innovative solutions that work in your context, with the people you are designing for.  This co-development process includes conducting testing and making changes until you arrive at a solution that works. 

Non-profit organizations are known for addressing multitudes of complex social and environmental challenges. Non-profit organizations are also often the ones who face the most complex challenges, for example, lack of resources, complex stakeholder relationships, and need to prove their impact and accountability to their funders. 

That’s why there are several key benefits to using human-centered design in non-profit work. 

Increased effectiveness and impact of programs and initiatives

More meaningful engagement and involvement of stakeholders

Greater understanding of the needs and perspectives of the people you serve

Organizations across Canada have embraced human-centered design as they create products, services, and experiences that truly resonate with their communities. 

One example is Food Banks Canada, a national charity that is dedicated to helping Canadians struggling with food insecurity.  FBC understands the unique challenges and needs of individuals and families facing food insecurity, and they know that this complex issue can only be addressed by truly listening to and understanding their perspectives. 

FBC offers a range of programs and initiatives designed to address the root causes of food insecurity, including poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to affordable housing. These programs are developed in close collaboration with the individuals and families who are experiencing food insecurity, and are designed to meet their specific needs and circumstances. That is human-centered design!

If you work for a non-profit organization, it is time to adopt a human-centered design approach and start making a real difference!

Are you interested in exploring these topics or collaborating with us? Don't hesitate to get in touch! We are always eager to find new ways to share knowledge and support the efforts of social and public sectors to evolve their strategic goals into well-designed programs for the purpose of maximizing the impact for our communities.

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