Community partnerships can be an effective way to accomplish shared goals. What are the factors that make some partnerships more effective than others?
A community partnership is a collaborative relationship between willing entities formed to address shared objectives. Effective partnerships leverage the strengths of each partner and apply it strategically to the issue at hand. It might take more work, and it might take longer, but strong partnerships build the relationships, shared understanding, and collective focus to make lasting progress on issues related to community and economic development.
What are the characteristics of effective community partnerships? Among those that stand out are:
- Leadership
- Aligned Vision
- Roles, Responsibilities and Accountability
- Framework for Culture and Values
- Communication
This piece explores the above factors and provides recommendations for structuring community partnerships in your community.
FULL STORY: The Value of Partnerships in Community Development

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Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Portland
City of Laramie