Mobilize.org

How to Build a Coalition

Once you have your target organizations down, it is time to start your calls. The most effective way to build a coalition is to target organizations with similar missions and have an immediate action step before you call them. A great example of this is the YouthVote Coalition. YouthVote has created a network of over 100 organizations working to increase youth civic engagement and political participation. Their structure is simple in that there is a lead organization in each city that reaches out to other groups working on youth civic engagement. These non-profits meet once a month and divide up their community so that young people are getting registered to vote no matter where they live. Feel free to follow this structure:

• Make your target list of organizations. Focus on organizations working on your specific issue and/or general youth civic engagement.
• Research your target organizations and write down brief notes. Educate yourself before you call. Know the projects the organization is working on, the projects it previously worked on, and how the organization may fit within your project.
• Contact your organizations and make sure to mention what you learned from your research. They will be impressed that you took time to read about them.
• Send an email summarizing your conversation and indicating that you are looking forward to working together.
• Follow up with organizations you previously contacted. Now that you have a goal and action steps, show them how they can fit in by presenting your plan in a clear and concise manner.
• Set up a meeting for everyone to meet each other. Hold the meeting one night at a restaurant and invite everyone from your coalition list. Allow each person to talk about their projects and discuss how the coalition is going to operate.
• Create a collective calendar. This creates an opportunity for your team to attend other organizations’ events and vice versa. Most importantly, you do not want two events on the same day because competition for turnout defeats the coalition’s purpose.
• Stay in contact by scheduling monthly or bimonthly meetings to touch base, exchange monthly emails for the calendar, event planning, and general updates. All coalition members should send out action emails as they arise.

Coalition Tip:

The best coalitions are formed by groups of ten organizations or less. When groups grow beyond this size, it is hard to include everyone and accomplish tasks. Just as a small group of active individuals accomplishes more than a large group of inactive individuals, a small group of dedicated organizations accomplishes more than a large group of apathetic organization. Download the Coalition Checklist.

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