Partnerships
- Partnering
with Nationals
Partners International
Sample Cooperation Agreement
Partners International (PI) has over 50 years experience in partnering with
non-Western, grassroots, missions organizations. They work together with partners to
develop a written document of which both approve. The agreement describes the objectives
of the partnership, and what each partner is expected to do. Though mutual trust is in
many ways more important than anything on paper, they find that having a written agreement
is very helpful to focus the partnership and prevent misunderstanding. The process of
developing the agreement is in itself a relationship-building exercise.
Below is a sample of this type of agreement. Those considering entering
into a partnership, whether large or small, should be able to learn something from
this example. The actual text can then be modified to fit the need of the user.
The agreement is shown to give you an example of how partners can identify and
clarify expectations and commitments.
PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
between Partner Ministry and Partners International
We believe that God has led Partners International of San Jose, California, U.S.A.,
and (Partner Ministry Name) of (City, Country) to work cooperatively for the advancement
of the gospel.
This agreement is not a legal contract. It is a way to make expectations clear
between us so that we can work together effectively. The duration of this agreement
is from (beginning date) to (end date). It can be renewed for another term if both
partners agree. It may also be terminated at an earlier date at the request of either partner.
- Partners International will assist with the following activities
(projects and/or worker support) of the ministry of (Partner Ministry Name):
- Partners International will assist in the following ways:
-
Seek funds for the activities specified above.
-
Keep a mailing list of donors for (Partner Ministry Name). Keep these donors
informed about the work of (Partner Ministry Name), and encourage them
to pray.
-
Visit (Partner Ministry Name) regularly to:
-
Learn about their needs
-
Encourage them in their work
-
Monitor progress of the partnership against the expectations of this agreement
-
Provide (or arrange for), as we are able, training or mentoring that the
ministry requests
-
Help with other requests as we are able. Please list any special requests
below.
- The goals of the of the activities (listed in Question #1) are:
Please give
specific details, including numbers and time periods.
- (Partner Ministry Name) will be taking the following steps
(operational plans) during the time period covered by this agreement to
reach these goals:
Please give
specific details, including numbers and time periods.
Principles of This Agreement
- A partnership relationship must be built on mutual respect and trust.
Written understandings help the partnership to be clear and effective,
but written understandings alone are not sufficient if the underlying relationship
is not strong. Partners International and (Partner Ministry Name) will
seek to uphold these foundational principles in building and preserving
the relationship with one another:
-
Mutual respect (Rom. 12:10)
-
Enabling and encouraging one another to better fulfill the ministry the
Lord has given to each of us (Eph. 4:12,13)
-
Mutual, open accountability before God and man (2 Cor. 8:20,21)
- Partners International and (Partner Ministry Name) will cooperate on
the activities covered by this agreement, which by God’s grace will enable
us both to better achieve our common ministry goals. As we work cooperatively,
Partners International and (Partner Ministry Name) will remain organizationally
independent of each other. We will not interfere in the administration
of each other’s ministry, but encourage each other to follow God’s leading
as each of us understand it.
- Partners International enters into partnerships with the board of
an indigenous ministry, and not with individuals. It is expected
that the board will be informed, involved, and responsible for the work.
Funds shall be transferred through a method mutually agreed upon with the
board, and shall be used in ways that are consistent with the intention
of the donors.
- Partners International desires to assist ministries that have clear,
measurable and achievable goals; policies and procedures adequate to guide
their staffs; the necessary personnel to accomplish their goals; local
credibility with the Christian community in their home areas; and past
performance that demonstrates the ability to meet their commitments. The
same should be expected of Partners International by the ministries.
- The same should be expected of Partners International by the ministries.
- Partners International and (Partner Ministry Name) recognize that
the financial participation of Partners is not intended to be permanent,
and that renewal of this agreement is not assured. (Partner Ministry Name)
is encouraged to increasingly seek local funding, preparing for the time
when Partners is no longer financially involved in its ministry.
Expectations of This Agreement
Partners International
- Partners International will promote (Partner Ministry Name) in the
countries where Partners International has associated councils (Australia,
Canada, Japan, United Kingdom, and the United States, plus developing councils
in Korea, South Africa and Singapore).
- Partners International will need to share about (Partner Ministry
Name) in order to raise funds and other resources for it, but this will
be done in ways that make it clear that (Partner Ministry Name) is not
under the supervision or control of Partners International.
- If (Partner Ministry Name) works in a country where a normal flow
of information about the ministry may be dangerous to ministry workers
or projects, Partners International’s promotions will follow the security
guidelines provided by or negotiated with the ministry.
- Partners International will maintain separate accounts so that it
is clear how much has been given by donors for the work of (Partner Ministry
Name).
- Partners International’s regional coordinator is recognized as the
authorized representative in all relations with (Partner Ministry Name).
(Partner Ministry Name)
- Selected workers of (Partner Ministry Name) may be enrolled in the
Partners International sponsorship program in order to raise monthly worker
support. Funds raised in this method are intended to help meet the worker
support needs of the ministry overall, not just the workers in the sponsorship
program. The sponsorship funds are to be allocated by the ministry board
in ways that are consistent with the overall ministry needs and with the
intention of the donors. (Partner Ministry Name) will provide the following
for each worker in the sponsorship program:
-
Worker personal data on a standard form and a written, personal testimony.
-
Color photo (close up, worker and spouse) with negative.
-
Two prayer letters per year (May and September).
-
In addition, the leader of (Partner Ministry Name) will provide an
overall report on the ministry in January.
- In addition to the worker reports described above, Partners International
may be supporting ministry projects. (Partner Ministry Name) will provide
at least two reports per year (October and March) for each supported project.
Sometimes additional reports may be requested for projects for which there
is a lot of activity.
- All ministry projects for which (Partner Ministry Name) desires
to request funding from Partners International are to be documented on
the Project Request Application form and forwarded to the regional coordinator.
(Partner Ministry Name) shall not obligate Partners International for funding
any project without previous written agreement.
- (Partner Ministry Name) will provide Partners International with
audited financial statements no later than six months after the end of
its fiscal year. If (Partner Ministry Name) received US$20,000 or more
during its fiscal year from Partners International, the audit must be conducted
by an independent, CPA-equivalent auditor. The audited financial statements
shall include a list of donations received from Partners International
that agrees with the income and expense statement. Partners will provide
an example that will help to show all that is expected in the financial
statements.
- Partners International may conduct an informal financial review of
the financial records at the headquarters of (Partner Ministry Name), normally
not more than once every two years. During the review, (Partner Ministry
Name) will make all necessary financial records available. Partners
will provide notification of any such review no less than sixty days in
advance.
- If (Partner Ministry Name) promotes its ministry directly (not through
Partners International) in the countries (listed above) where Partners
International has associated councils, this can confuse donors and damage
the credibility of both (Partner Ministry Name) and Partners International.
(Partner Ministry Name) will coordinate in advance with Partners International
before doing any direct promotion in these countries.
- (Partner Ministry Name) will actively seek local funding for its
ministry, with a goal of increasing the percentage of funds raised locally
year by year.
The undersigned concur with this Agreement. The undersigned also agree
with the following Statement of Faith without reservation.
(Partner Ministry Name)
Chairman of the Board
President
Partners International
(Ministry Leader’s Name) (Title)
(Partner Ministry Name)
Click here for sample statement of faith.
WEF STATEMENT OF FAITH
From Partners International Revised 12-98
WebMaster
5/12/00
