Unless you are in a small town or live in a rural area where you may be the only organization of your type, it is very likely that there are other organizations in the general region working on similar issues. Some of the organizations may simply be informal associations. Some may be incorporated as state nonprofits, and others may have obtained their federal nonprofit status.

Regardless of their legal status or exactly how they have chosen to organize themselves, they may be doing similar work and may be of tremendous help to you and your organization.

The Win-Win Approach

When setting out to meet the directors or board members of similar groups in your area, be sure to plan ahead and strategize about exactly what you hope to get and what you are able to offer. Especially when discretionary funds in a community are tight, you need to present yourselves as being willing to collaborate to eliminate any fear of competition.

Just as many professions and skilled trades have formed unique associations and guilds over the years, so too have nonprofit organizations joined forces to share resources and general support. Seek out these organizations well before you have formally incorporated or applied for your nonprofit status.

Many of these organizations — whether they are arts, cultural, or social service organizations — will have publications and websites for their members as well as more general information for nonmembers.

Music societies customarily offer reciprocal newsletter subscriptions to other organizations in their area or around the world. Any music organization or society may send out dozens upon dozens of such mailings every month, which publicize their activities as well as keep all the groups in casual contact with current addresses and e-mails for the main people.

There are often guest memberships available for new organizations. Taking advantage of this avenue allows you to get a sense of what these organizations can offer and what your peers are doing.