ABSTRACT
Community change requires effort, and a small group working alone often can accomplish more when they join forces with other nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations, educational institutions or governmental agencies. Building collaborative partnerships with stakeholders and other outside individuals and organizations can powerfully influence the change process. Strategic alliances can assist your organization to reduce costs and to share resources, equipment, physical facilities and programs to reduce duplication and support stakeholders of both organizations. This takes team research and personal emissary work, as well as efforts to bridge cultural, social and community values. Finally, it requires that the collaborative group devise and document how they will work together. This chapter also covers Lofquist’s Levels of Networking theory, mission and purpose clarification and formative evaluation.
