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

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chapter seven
4. Use nonprofit and business partners.
Asset swapping can dramatically
streamline the bureaucratic obstacles
that public and non-profit partnerships
encounter. We found that
exchanging “on-the-shelf” research
on partners’ constituents resulted
in significant cost and time savings
for all organizations involved.
Offering our social marketing
research to partners increased the
return on investment of the original
expenditure and provided tools to
effectively market their services to
common audiences.
Lindsey Cometa, Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services
future employment, as well. This partnership
has emphasized these results and their applicability
to current and potential funders.
3. Produce quantifiable outcomes.
The partnership must deliver significant quantifiable
results. Resources are far more likely to
flow to successful organizations than inadequate
performers.
Reporting documented qualitative
and quantitative outcomes to
investors, community partners,
stakeholders, and politicians has
enabled us to grow our program
from a couple hundred families a
year in 1993 to well over 10,000
families in 2002.
The nonprofit sector can be key to a cross-sector
partnership by soliciting tax-exempt donations.
An endowment can provide a long-term
funding source for important community
activities. Likewise, a business partner can be
an instrumental supporter by adopting good
business principles and contributing money
and expertise.
5. Create a dedicated funding stream, such
as ballot measures, city charter amendments,
dedicated tax sources, and
bond issues.
Legal options for securing a dedicated revenue
stream vary by community. However, a crosssector
partnership, especially one with a strong
civic component, should explore this option.
For example, many Western states use voter
initiatives to fund housing, youth programs,
and recreation partnerships.
6. Charge a service fee.
Several design lab participants generated an
income stream for their partnerships. For
example, the 5 A Day for Better Health
Program charges a franchise fee for using its
logo and other materials. The fee applies to
private and public organizations that want to
participate in the program. For Neighborhoods
in Bloom, nonprofit community development
corporations build a housing developer’s fee into
the price of a house to recover their costs, where
feasible. Similar fees are applied to other community
initiatives and services, as well.
A high-performance partnership may “sell” its
expertise to other communities and individuals
through consultation contracts and training
programs.
7. Access local, state, and federal tax credits
for various housing, economic development,
and neighborhood revitalization activities.
Credit and eligibility criteria depend on the
community. Nevertheless, tax credits offer a significant
funding opportunity for several initiatives,
such as renovating historic structures, lowincome
housing, and business investments.
Debbie Russell, Healthy Families
Partnership (Hampton)
94 Powering the Future: High-Performance Partnerships