THRIVE CONNECTION / A SEASON OF CONNECTION
A community partnership can begin with a useful question: what could we do together? Businesses, workplaces, and community groups bring different resources, relationships, and skills. A conversation can help identify whether those strengths connect with New Narrative’s current needs.
Possible starting points include sponsorship, professional expertise, workplace engagement, and coordinated practical support. The right arrangement depends on the work, the people involved, and what can be supported responsibly.
Describe what your group can realistically offer
A short introduction is enough to begin. Tell us who your group is, the kind of contribution you are considering, and what you hope to learn from the conversation. If an idea has a deadline, budget limit, or particular skill attached, include that context.
Being specific about capacity helps everyone consider a workable fit. A one-time project and a longer relationship require different arrangements; neither needs to be presented as something larger than it is.
Agree on purpose and expectations
When an idea moves forward, the next conversation can clarify the intended contribution, the people coordinating it, and the practical steps involved. It is also a chance to check any plans for public recognition or sharing the organization’s name.
People’s stories and photographs should never become an assumed part of a partnership. If a project involves communications, discuss the review process and any permissions separately. A contribution can be meaningful without featuring a participant’s personal experience.
There may be times when a proposal is not a fit for current needs or capacity. Beginning with a conversation gives both sides room to adjust the idea or choose a different route. The aim is a useful relationship with clear expectations, rather than a promise made before the details are understood.
Start with an idea, not a finished plan
You do not need to arrive with an entire campaign designed. Tell our Development Team what interests your group, what you could offer, and any timing or capacity limits. A first conversation can help clarify whether there is a useful next step.
For example, a group might want to ask about a sponsorship opportunity, discuss a professional skill, or explore whether a collection could respond to a current needs list. These are conversation starters, rather than a list of guaranteed openings.
Coordinate before making commitments
Before announcing a collection, buying items, setting a volunteer date, or promising a particular activity, check with the team. Coordination helps clarify who is responsible, what is needed, and whether the proposed timing works.
It also gives everyone a chance to discuss practical details and expectations before people invest time or resources.
Begin the conversation
Contact New Narrative’s Development Team with a short introduction and the idea you would like to explore. You can also visit our giving page for current information about supporting the work.
Thank you for bringing your perspective and strengths to the community. Thoughtful partnerships begin by listening and finding a shared purpose.
