Other mechanisms for remaining viable include partnerships or collaboration with similar or complementary organisations. For some non-profit board members, this is the first step towards walking the plank to irrelevancy or extinction, and all weapons are amassed for a full on assault against those who recommend this option.
In a Web 2.0 world, silo cultures and turf wars are walls which stymie internal and external communication. Opportunities to present a stronger local, regional, or statewide front are increased when entities can pool or share resources.
From an internal perspective, forcing community clients to drudge through the centralised model of ’departments‘ or rigid protocols constrains the ability to share knowledge or incorporate mobile and adaptive expertise. As a general principle, a more transparent and cooperative ethos will improve an entity’s effectiveness and long-term sustainability.
Remember: if you insist on swimming alone, there’s no one nearby to save you if you begin to drown.
From "How to Avoid the Pitfalls of nonprofit Hell"