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

MISSION AND PLANNING
chapter six
Neighborhoods in Bloom redirected funding from 22 neighborhoods to six. Within
those six, resources were targeted to specific blocks. Although the goal of having
the greatest impact in a targeted area was good, it became impractical and frustrating
when control of housing sites could not be obtained in a timely manner. The
plan of action had to be adjusted. Also, the partnerships wanted to assist every
property within a targeted area, including existing home owners who needed
repairs. Resources were made available with providers ready for implementation,
but we discovered that there were few existing home owners in some of the targeted
blocks who wanted the services. Partnership flexibility was required to expand
the program’s geographical boundaries and use of allocated resources.
Neighborhoods in Bloom (Richmond)
2. Use an incremental or evolutionary
approach to establishing objectives.
The partnership should start with something
manageable, yet important to the community
upon which it can build. This strategy allows the
partnership to assess what is and what is not
working before significant midcourse adjustment
is required. In addition to helping navigate the
treacherous shoals of focus vs. flexibility, this
approach helps address balancing planning and
action. As a design participant said, “The highperformance
partnership may not be able to
solve world hunger but, in Smalltown, USA, it
may be able to feed everyone.”
90 Powering the Future: High-Performance Partnerships