If you’re applying for a grant, chances are you’ll need to show that your project has strong community support. Funders want to see that you’re not working in isolation—they want to know that your project is backed by real partnerships that add value and increase impact.

But here’s the thing: you can’t fake genuine collaboration, and you definitely can’t build strong partnerships at the last minute.

Why Partnerships Matter

Most government and philanthropic funders aren’t just looking for great projects. They’re looking for projects that deliver the maximum possible public-good outcomes—and that often means working together with others in your community. Strong partnerships help ensure that your project:

✅ Has broad community support – It’s not just your organisation that thinks this is a great idea.

✅ Is more sustainable – Partners can help with resources, expertise, and long-term impact.

✅ Avoids duplication – Funders don’t want to see multiple groups tackling the same issue separately. Collaboration ensures resources are used wisely.

✅ Reaches the right people – The best projects engage the communities they serve from the start.

Finding the Right Partners

So, who should you be collaborating with? That depends on your project, but here are a few key questions to help you identify potential partners:

• Who else cares about this issue? (Community groups, NGOs, businesses, schools?)
• Who has the skills or resources we need? (Expertise, facilities, funding?)
• Who will benefit from this project? (And how can they be involved?)
• Are there any required partners? (Traditional Owner engagement, government approvals?)

Engaging Partners Early (Not at the Last Minute!)

Good partnerships take time to develop. The worst thing you can do is reach out to a potential partner the day before your grant is due and ask for a letter of support. Instead:

🔹 Involve partners from the start – If they’re part of the planning process, they’ll be more invested in the project.
🔹 Be clear about roles – Make sure everyone understands what they’re contributing (funding, in-kind support, expertise, promotion, etc.).
🔹 Keep communication open – Strong partnerships require trust and ongoing dialogue.
🔹 Be ready to reciprocate – Partnerships should be mutually beneficial. Support your partners in their initiatives too.

Letters of Support: Make Them Count

Many grant applications require letters of support, but not all letters are created equal. A generic “we support this project” letter doesn’t add much value. Instead, a strong letter should:

✅ Clearly state why the project is important 

✅ Explain the partner’s role in the project 

✅ Show the tangible benefits for the community 

✅ Include specific commitments (funding, resources, promotion)

A great strategy? Draft a letter for your partner that they can personalise, so they don’t have to start from scratch. Just make sure that all your letters aren’t carbon copies of each other!

The Takeaway

Collaboration isn’t just a grant-writing requirement—it’s what makes community projects stronger, more impactful, and more sustainable. If you want to improve your chances of grant success, start building relationships now, long before you need them. When partnerships are real, meaningful, and well-documented, funders will take notice.