High-Performance Partnerships - National Academy of Public ...

Coexistence:
Cooperative:
Contractual:
If the city and the nonprofit each rehabilitate five houses somewhere
in the city.
If the city and the nonprofit each agree to rehabilitate five houses
in specific neighborhoods and even coordinate their efforts to
jointly purchase supplies.
If the city develops a formal agreement with the nonprofit to
rehabilitate 10 houses for a specified cost.
Collaborative: If the city and nonprofit agree to work together to rehabilitate 10
houses, and coordinate schedules and resources.
Partnership:
High-Performance
Partnership:
If the city and the nonprofit jointly decide which 10 houses to
rehabilitate, jointly develop work plans, and share resources and
accountability for accomplishing the work.
The city/nonprofit partnership rehabilitates 15 houses at the same
total cost as the budget for 10 houses in a shorter period of time.
DEFINING CHARACTERISTICS
A high-performance partnership has two
essential dimensions. First, it must have a
structure for the individual organizations to
share authority, resources, and accountability
for achieving a mutually decided goal. Some
reorganization, merger, or redefinition of
authority and responsibility takes place when
the partnership is formed. Second, it must
produce significant results. So, the second
dimension takes the partnership to a higher
level. A partnership is defined by its organizational
structure and approach, while a high-
Perhaps born from Hoosier pragmatism or a Midwestern
culture that values community and church involvement,
Indianapolis has a long, rich tradition of collaboration. A
succession of mayors has embraced public-private partnerships
for economic development and service delivery.
Cross-sector human services planning began in 1978 and
spawned several partnerships, including the Family
Strengthening Coalition. The involvement of major funders—the
United Way, Lilly Endowment, and Community
Foundation—also spurred collaborative ventures. In short,
Indianapolis has a culture of collaboration.
Family Strengthening Coalition (Indianapolis)
According to the 1990 Census, more than 120,000 people
in the Milwaukee area were age 65 and older, with 14 percent
older than 85. Mental health disorders and alcohol
abuse are estimated to affect a significant portion of this
population, perhaps as much as 35 percent. These elderly
suffer serious health problems—including hypertension,
arthritis, and coronary heart disease. They are potential
candidates for nursing home care if they are unable to
spend their years in an accommodating, service-oriented
community. The urgent need to address these issues for
low-income, fragile elders led to Milwaukee’s Lapham Park
Venture, a partnership of local government, medical, and
faith-based organizations.
performance one is defined by what it produces.
A high-performance partnership does
not necessarily begin as a sophisticated operation.
It can develop incrementally from less
intensive forms of collaboration.
External conditions must support a performance-based
partnership and three environments—culture
of collaboration, crisis, and
funder-imposed—often provide the springboard
for creating one. Collaboration is part
of the social fabric in some communities that
believe their long-term interests are best served
by working together. With a history of cooper-
15 Powering the Future: High-Performance Partnerships