Holistic services better address client needs – Complementary services provided through collaborative community partnerships enable an agency to provide individual programs in conjunction with ancillary services that work together for greater net benefits and outcomes for participants. Since people don’t live in a vacuum, the problems they face don’t occur in an isolated environment. Seldom are an individual’s problems singular in nature; and therefore, the solutions to their problems can seldom be addressed fully by a single provider or program. Through collaboration, services outside an organization’s field of expertise can be offered that will assist clients in accessing those programs critical to their overall and long-term, individual success. Furthermore, collaborations that provide timely and neighborhood-based correlative services are especially critical for at-risk populations served by many non-profit social service agencies. Already under stress and overwhelmed by day-to-day challenges confronting them, many such clients find it difficult to navigate the complex and confusing rules that govern the educational, health, and social service programs available to them. By providing holistic program services, collaborative partnerships increase the likelihood that these individuals will maintain long-term success in addressing personal challenges.

Economies of scale – Whether the collaboration involves the sharing of facilities, program materials, or professional staff members, collaborations invariably save financial resources by reducing the costs associated with providing broader program services. Reduced costs typically net greater economies of scale benefits and allow for more cost efficient program enhancements and expansions. Saving money is good business. Funders have limited financial resources to distribute throughout the community; they want to realize the greatest impact possible from the allocation of their funds. By avoiding duplication of services and enhancing programs through collaboration, grant applicants increase the likelihood of winning a grant award.

Funding opportunities – Federal, national and local funding agencies recognize the increased effectiveness of holistic program approaches. Therefore, oftentimes organizations find that funding opportunities require the provision of a range of services, some of which are outside their area of expertise. Through collaborative partnerships, an applicant can propose a comprehensive initiative that meets a funder’s guidelines and nets synergistic benefits for program participants.

Client comfort levels – By nature, people are more comfortable working with individuals that are familiar to them; and typically, people in need turn to other people (not programs) for help. Collaborative partnerships allow an organization’s clients to access other needed services through the people that they already know and trust. Partnerships allow case managers, counselors, and other professional advisers to monitor and encourage their clients to follow through with referrals to outside organizations for needed services; and based on their trust in familiar professionals, clients typically are more comfortable in reaching out and accepting help from new and different sources.