Types of Coalitions and Collaborative Organizations

Wendy Wilson, River Network

June 2006

Informatio Associatio Coordin- Campaig Ongoing Indepen- Agency- Quasi- Non- Hybrid
n Network n ating n Coalition dent sponsored Governmenta Profit Group
Council Watershe Watershe l
d Council d Council
Purpose Sharing info Promoting Coordin- Collective Advancement Consensus- Consensus- Legislatively Public Non-
between like- advancement ating work action of a group of based based authorized welfare and/ adversarial
minded groups of specific on specific towards a related issues stakeholder stakeholder purposes which or charitable group with
groups or issues known goal over a longer process process define agency purposes as a formal
individuals between over a timeframe convened by convened by and municipal described by process for
groups with specific non- paid agency participation founders municipal
similar goals timeframe traditional staff involvement
allies.
Membershi Open to all Open to all Can have Strategic Longer term Defined by Defined by Specific Member Munici-
p interested with member formal partnership commitment of co- agency or members or organizations palities
dues and members or between diverse, allied conveners legislation board seats have no represented
services just a loose diverse organizations. required by law formal on board or
alliance of groups with governance dominate
active few role in board.
leaders common organization
interests
Structure Loose. System Defined Structured Steering More Uses Uses Tightly defined Volunteer Tightly
for communi- structure. like a Committee structured with consensus or consensus or by authorizing board hires defined
cating between Volunteer or network and own board. modified modified legislation staff, can structure but
members staffed. with one or committees Lead groups consensus consensus change by- with
more leaders often staff- may provide laws, dues changeable
driving work driven. staff. and services bylaws
to provide
Financial Little cost to Dues, grants, Various. Often Higher dues or Smaller Budget may May have taxing 501c3 status Diverse
Arrange- members. various fund May or may dependent large in kind budgets include authority or or 501c4 private and
Grant funded raising not have on external contributions based on funds public Diverse public
ments or all- strategies. member or grant from member local leveraged appropriation private and sources.
volunteer dues. funds groups. May donations from public Tax status
seek grants and agencies sources. not always
collaboratively. individuals clear.
Examples Volunteer Waterkeeper Montana Lower Save Our Wild Henrys Fork Many led by Potomac River Tip of the Huron River
Monitoring Alliance Watershed Snake River Salmon Watershed NRCS or Watershed Mitt Watershed
Network Coordinating Restoration Coalition Council Conservation Commission Watershed Council
Council Campaign District staff Council