Coalitions are the cornerstones of creating successful change within a community. They represent an array of local interests and bring together organizations and individuals to build a power base that works to influence social change of a mutual concern.

Coalitions come in a variety of forms including permanent or temporary, single or multi-issue. A well-organized, broad based coalition will be successful in creating policy change, increasing public knowledge, creating a network and development of innovative solutions to complex problems.

The tools and resources that follow are designed to help you develop and sustain a coalition of individuals and organizations that will create change in your community by working together.

Building Coalitions

Building a Team

The Minnesota Department of Health provides useful information on choosing group leadership, brainstorming, and developing a mission statement. The site provides worksheets and checklist for developing a coalition.
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/hpcd/chp/hpkit/text/team_main.htm

Community How To Guide On Coalition Building

This is a complete guide that covers various aspects of coalition building. It provides information on involving youth, recruiting members, overcoming obstacles, communicating, and marketing your coalition.
[view the complete guide here in PDF format]

Appendices

• Coalition Members Checklist
• Suggested Coalition Members Roles & Responsibilities
• Attributes of a Good Coordinator

Facilitator Guide

This series on coalition building was developed by The Ohio State University. It has been adapted for County Extension Faculty in Florida to facilitate work with local and regional organizations and groups such as non-profits, cooperatives, county extension associations, and others that might benefit from a plan for working together to achieve support for mutual goals.

Click on section titles to view (Please see copyright information at the end of each section).

• Coalition Facilitator Guide - Looks at the role and qualities need to be a successful facilitator.
  
  
• Coalition Functioning - Describes the elements of success.
  
  
• Coalition Goal Setting - Short discussion on establishing goals and turning them into action.
  
  
• Communication in Coalitions -Effective communication is essential to a successful coalition. Looks at the communication process and the ways we communicate.
  
  
• Communication/Developing Members - To be effective and efficient members will need to be comfortable and understand important group processes.
  
  
• Evaluating the Collaboration Process - Details two levels of examining the collaboration process within a coalition.
  
  
• Extra Resources - Describes a six-step process for securing additional funding through grant writing and fundraising.
  
  
• Making A Difference Needs Assessments - Explains what a needs assessment is and provides information on planning and designing an assessment.
  
  
• Mobilizing the Community - Talks about what is needed to mobilize a community, who should be involved, strategies, and barriers.
  
  
• Networking - Short description on how to use networks as a major tool in multiplying power.
  
  
• Structure - Describes the construction of a coalition, how to recruit members and how to keep the momentum alive.
  
  
• Tapping the Private Sector - With resources decreasing the private sector can provide valuable resources through members and services.
  
  
• Turf Issues - Defines "turf-ism" and looks and why and when it happens by providing examples and suggestions on how to avoid it.
  
  
• Understanding the Process - Explains how to use the problem solving method to overcome barriers coalitions encounter.
  
  
• Working with Diverse Cultures - Looks at managing cultural diversity and making the most of it to help strengthen your coalitions effectiveness in the community.
  

More Coalition Building Information:

Building Coalitions

Tools for Coalitions

Tips Sheets

Coalition Building Links