Research
Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view PDF files. To download a free copy, please visit the Adobe web site. Achieving and Measuring Community Outcomes: Challenges, Issues, Some Approaches
United Way of America, 1999
Intended to fuel discussion about how community organizations, working together, can broaden the impact of individual programs and bring about change that affects a targeted community. Defines six challenges: selecting appropriate outcomes, developing a strategy, creating an action plan, identifying indicators, measuring those indicators, and linking program outcomes to desired community outcomes. Provides examples of approaches used by United Way in various states across the country.
Download/view: PDF (78KB) | HTML The Best of Both: Community Colleges and Community Based Organizations Partner to Better Serve Low-Income Workers and Employers
B. Roberts, Public/Private Ventures, Working Ventures, 2002
Examines partnerships between community colleges and community-based organizations to understand their structure, challenges, and success in helping low-income people secure and sustain meaningful employment.
Download/view: PDF (155KB) | HTML Building New Partnerships for Employment: Collaboration Among Agencies and Public Housing Residents in the Jobs-Plus Demonstration
L. Yuriko and J. Riccio, with J. Dodge, Manpower Demonstration and Research Center (MDRC), 2001
An analysis of the Jobs-Plus Community Revitalization demonstration project, which promoted partnerships in seven cities to develop and operate employment programs in public housing developments. Report summarizes the partnerships' accomplishments and challenges in the following areas: collaborative governance and management, collaboration in service delivery, housing authority adaptations, and residents' involvement. Also offers suggestions for building future collaborative programs.
Download/view: PDF (867KB) | HTML Collaboration: What Makes It Work, 2nd Edition
P. Mattessich, M. Murray-Close, and B. Monsey, Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, 2001
Based on a literature review, identifies and describes the environmental, membership, structural, communication, and resource factors influencing a successful collaboration. Discusses implementation and evaluation procedures and presents a self-guided assessment tool for current or potential collaborators.
Available for purchase from
http://www.fieldstonealliance.org/productdetails.cfm?SKU=069326 Developing Collaborative Partnerships
S. Kerka, Practice Application Briefs, ERIC Clearinghouse for Adult, Career, and Vocational Education, 1997
Brief includes profiles of effective collaborations in the areas of workforce development, family literacy, and welfare reform. Also describes necessary ingredients and required steps to developing effective collaborations.
http://www.calpro-online.org/ERIC/textonly/docgen.asp?tbl=pab&ID=71 Everybody Wins: Effectively Involving Business In Workforce Development
Jobs for the Future Workforce Innovation Networks, 2001
Explains how the needs of both employers and employees can be met through workforce development programs and suggests public policy solutions to overcome challenges.
Download/view: PDF (345KB) | HTML Independent Sector's Three Sector Initiative
Project examines changing roles and relationships among government, business, and nonprofit sectors. Partnership produced several reports, among them Changing Roles, Changing Relationships: The New Challenge for Business, Nonprofit Organizations, and Government, and Working Better Together: How Government, Business and Nonprofit Organizations Can Achieve Public Purposes Through Cross-Sector Collaboration, Alliances and Partnerships.
http://www.independentsector.org/programs/leadership/3Sector_Over
view.html Ohio State University Fact Sheet
The Ohio Center for Action on Coalitions
Compiles a list of concise resources for building coalitions. Topics include goal setting, fund-raising and grant writing, working with diverse cultures, networking, facilitating communication, and issues that relate to the overall functioning of a coalition. Introduction presents an overview of advantages and disadvantages of collaboration, common definitions, and related research. Fact sheets can be accessed from "Building Coalitions" section of website.
http://ohioline.osu.edu/lines/kids.html Partnerships Between Community Colleges and Prisons: Providing Workforce Education and Training to Reduce Recidivism
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education, Office of Correctional Education, 2009
Describes how community colleges and prisons in 11 states have formed partnerships to help inmates reintegrate successfully into their communities. By expanding educational services to this population, these partnerships hope to reduce recidivism, improve public safety, and save tax dollars. Report examines how partnerships are formed, coordinated, and funded, as well as the challenges they face and how they benefit inmates, prisons, community colleges, and the public.
Download/view: PDF (376KB) | HTML Pew Partnership for Civic Change
Civic research organization identifies and documents promising solutions critical to solving community problems. A project involving 14 communities produced several reports that are available on the website, including "Planned Serendipity," "Just Call it Effective," and "In It for the Long Haul: Community Partnerships Make a Difference."
http://www.pew-partnership.org/ Principles for Intergroup Projects: A First Look
Association for the Study and Development of Community (ASDC), 1999
Ten principles for strengthening inter-group relationships.
Download/view: PDF (73KB) Program on Philanthropy and Social Innovation (PSI)
The Aspen Institute
Houses the Non-profit Sector Strategy Group (NSSG), a forum of nonprofit, business, education, and government leaders that examined the roles and responsibilities of the nonprofit sector in society and its impact on policy, practice, and research. Publications emphasize partnerships among nonprofits, government, business, and faith-based organizations. Reports relevant to adult education include The Nonprofit Sector and Business: New Visions, New Opportunities, New Challenges, The Nonprofit Sector and Government: Clarifying the Relationship, and Religious Organizations and Government.
http://www.aspeninstitute.org/policy-work/nonprofit-philanthropy WinWin: Competitive Advantage Through Community Investment
The Ford Foundation, 2001
Provides examples of businesses investing in community economic development and describes the Ford Foundation's Corporate Involvement Initiative, which aims to increase business investment in the nation's low-income communities.
Download/view: PDF (3.3MB) | HTML Wising Up: How Government Can Partner with Business to Increase Skills and Advance Low-Wage Workers
A. Duke, K. Martinson, and J. Strawn, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), 2006
Provides profiles of initiatives in Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Massachusetts illustrating how state and local governments partner with business and industry to help workers upgrade their skills and advance. Three models are presented: Incumbent Worker and Customized Training, Career Ladders or Career Pathways, and State Skill Certificates and Panels. Includes strategies for integrating English language training, developing sustainable partnerships, and creating statewide workforce development systems.
Download/view: PDF (1.3MB) | HTML Workforce Development Case Studies
Collaborative Regional Initiatives, James Irvine Foundation
Case studies developed as part of Collaborative Regional Initiatives funded by the James Irvine Foundation. These initiatives encourage collaboration among public, private and nonprofit sectors to improve economic conditions in California. Report profiles four partnerships, describes the role of business and education in each, and highlights key results. Shares design elements and implications for other partnerships. Working Together to Build Beacon Centers in San Francisco: Evaluation Findings from 1998-2000
K. Walker and A. Arbreton, Public/Private Ventures, 2001
Broad community partnerships are the centerpiece of the Beacon Centers, which create youth/family centers in low-income neighborhoods. Focus is on youth but adult education courses also are offered. Report evaluates the first five centers and highlights major accomplishments and challenges.
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