Measuring Partnership Success in Non-Profit Collaborations
Author: Dr. Anna Neya Kazanskaia
Publisher: NEYA Global Publishing
Article | NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies
Year: 2025
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5669-1676
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-strprtnclb-10
This material forms part of the NEYA Global knowledge architecture. Institutional, organizational, professional, training, consulting, curriculum, program design, or implementation use requires an active license from NEYA Global
Explore Architecture →
Module Overview →
Request Institutional Access →
About the Article
Assessing the success of partnerships is critical for non-profit organizations seeking to enhance accountability, learning, and impact. This article examines strategies for measuring partnership effectiveness, including establishing clear goals and objectives, identifying and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs), employing systematic data collection and analysis, and evaluating outcomes and long-term impact. Drawing on monitoring and evaluation frameworks and participatory approaches, the study highlights the importance of SMART goal-setting, mixed-methods data collection, and comprehensive evaluation processes to capture both quantitative and qualitative results. Illustrative case studies from health, education, and environmental partnerships demonstrate practical applications. Challenges such as aligning partner expectations, measuring intangible outcomes, ensuring data quality, and sustaining monitoring efforts are addressed, providing actionable guidance for non-profit practitioners to strengthen accountability and achieve sustainable social impact.
Key Topics
- Partnership evaluation
- Key performance indicators (KPIs)
- Non-profit collaborations
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Impact assessment
- Data collection
- Continuous improvement
Suggested Citation
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Measuring Partnership Success in Non-Profit Collaborations. NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies. Neya Global Publishing. https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-strprtnclb-09
References
- Austin, J. E. (2000). The Collaboration Challenge: How Nonprofits and Businesses Succeed Through Strategic Alliances. Jossey-Bass.
- Bryson, J. M., Crosby, B. C., & Stone, M. M. (2015). Designing and implementing cross-sector collaborations: Needed and challenging. Public Administration Review, 75(5), 647-663. https://doi.org/10.1111/puar.12432
- Chambers, R. (2014). Rural Development: Putting the Last First. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315835815
- Ebrahim, A. (2003). Accountability in practice: Mechanisms for NGOs. World Development, 31(5), 813-829. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0305-750X(03)00014-7
- Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Strategic Partnerships & Collaborations. NEYA Global Publishing. https://doi.org/10.64357/strategic-partnerships-2025
- Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Impact Assessment: Measuring & Communicating. NEYA Global Publishing. https://doi.org/10.64357/impact-assessment-2025
- Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships. NEYA Global Publishing. https://doi.org/10.64357/corporate-partnerships-2025
- Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Donor Cultivation for Major Gifts. NEYA Global Publishing. https://doi.org/10.64357/donor-cultivation-major-gifts-2025
- Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Advancing non-profit impact through strategic partnerships and collaborations. Neya Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies. https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-strprtnclb-12
- Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Understanding strategic partnerships and collaborations in non-profit organizations. Neya Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies. https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-strprtnclb-02
- Patton, M. Q. (2015). Developmental Evaluation: Applying Complexity Concepts to Enhance Innovation and Use. Guilford Press.
- UNDP. (2016). Partnerships for Development: A Guide to Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration. United Nations Development Programme.