In The Know

As a staunch member of an advocacy group, you should know that uniting with like-minded entities and organizations can be a game-changer for your movement. The process of teaming up with different groups to work toward a common goal, known as coalition building, offers a slew of advantages for everyone involved.

On that note, let’s take a closer look at the benefits of coalition building, as well as some potential challenges you may encounter along the way. 

What Is a Coalition?

A coalition is an alliance that is forged to achieve a common objective. Coalitions are common in the political arena as well as the world of advocacy, and they generally consist of several organizations, non-profits, businesses, or other similar entities. These partnerships can be temporary or long-term, formal or informal, and they often consist of diverse members who bring unique perspectives and resources to the table.

The primary purpose of a coalition is to combine the strengths and efforts of its members to achieve a specific objective that would be difficult to accomplish alone. By working together, coalition members can pool resources, share their expertise, and amplify their collective voice. 

Benefits of Forming a Coalition

By forming a coalition, the members of your advocacy group can enjoy the following advantages:

An Amplified Voice

One of the most significant benefits of teaming up with other entities is voice amplification. In other words, the combined efforts of a group can have a far greater impact than if each member were working alone. Your collective voice can be particularly valuable ahead of important votes or ballot initiatives.

For example, let’s say you are working to pass a new environmental regulation. You could team up with other environmental organizations and community groups to reach a wider audience and boost your message. Policymakers are more likely to take notice when they see a diverse group of constituents advocating for the same cause. 

Pooled Resources and Knowledge

Your organization undoubtedly has its own set of unique strengths and shortcomings. A coalition can amplify what your advocacy group does well while providing resources to fix any weak spots. You’ll also gain greater access to resources through coalition building.

For example, your advocacy group may excel at grassroots mobilization but lack when it comes to robust research capabilities. By teaming up with a data-minded entity, you can tap into real-time insights that inform decision-making and help you more strategically allocate your resources. 

Boosted Credibility

Coalitions can enhance the credibility of your advocacy group. If constituents see several reputable organizations come together to support your cause, they may view it as more legitimate. That, in turn, can make it easier to gain media attention and sway undecided individuals. 

Coalitions can be particularly useful for misunderstood movements, like those pushing for sustainability initiatives. There’s a common misconception that green movements are bad for business, but that’s simply not true. If your green-minded advocacy group were to obtain the endorsement of a local business association, it would go a long way in changing the minds of your opposition and middle-of-the-aisle individuals. 

Expanded Reach

Each member of a coalition has its own network of supporters and followers. And though there will likely be some overlap, much of the audience may be new to your advocacy group. By joining forces, you can tap into these networks and expand your reach far beyond what you could achieve alone. 

For instance, if your advocacy campaign is focused on healthcare reform, a coalition that includes healthcare professionals and patient advocacy groups could help you connect with a wider range of people who care about the issue. That broader reach can translate to greater support and engagement. 

Long-Term Relationships

Coalitions are typically temporary alliances. However, your group and the other entities could also reunite in the future to take on new challenges. Even if you never revisit the partnerships, you’re very likely to forge lasting relationships with your partners during your time together. And those connections can continue to benefit your advocacy group and its mission for years to come. 

However, it’s important to treat these relationships as two-way streets. Make sure your group is willing to deliver value to and support its coalition partners when they need assistance. 

Common Challenges 

Coalition building can be an invaluable strategy for your advocacy group. But it’s important to acknowledge that it also comes with several challenges.

One of the biggest of these hurdles involves unifying diverse groups that each have distinct core missions. The diversity will surely provide you with a fresh perspective, but it can also serve as a point of friction during decision-making processes. Before you align yourself with an organization, clearly define the purpose of the potential coalition. By doing so, prospective members will understand what they are committing to right off the bat.

You’ll also need to establish communication pathways. Each key stakeholder within the coalition is used to leading their own group or organization, so transitioning from a top decision-maker to a collaborator can be an adjustment for some individuals. Setting clear expectations and providing standardized processes for communicating and sharing information will help participants adjust. 

Identify Like-Minded Groups With Aristotle 

Before you can start coalition building, you need to identify prospective partners that share your values and can add value to your advocacy group. You’ll need high-quality political data and bespoke advocacy tools to help you do that. And luckily, Aristotle is more than ready to provide.

We provide advocacy technology and high-quality political data designed to inform your campaigns and empower your cause. Our suite of solutions can help you identify potential coalition partners in your area, inform joint campaign efforts, and guide strategic planning processes. Schedule a demo of Aristotle today to learn more.