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How to Establish a Partnership

Use these steps as a guide to building a successful, rewarding partnership.

Step 1: Understand the Commitment

Consider your organization’s goals and partnership interests, and then choose a school or program that would make a good match.

A relationship is characterized as a “partnership” when it is: two-way and collaborative, ongoing, in support of system/school/curricular goals and provided free of charge.

Designing and maintaining a successful partnership takes commitment in the form of meetings, regular communication, check-ins, and much more.

Step 2: Define Your Partnership

Partner Match: Consider your organization’s goals and partnership interests as well as a school or program that may make a good match.

  • Location
  • Connections between your organization and a school/program (personal, employees, etc.)
  • Alignment between type of business and academic disciplines (science, fine arts, trades, finance, engineering, etc.)

For ideas, check out some of our past Annual Reports, which highlight some of the successful partnerships we have implemented.

Step 3: Complete the Prospective Partner Questionnaire

Complete the Questionnaire for Prospective Partners to share your vision for the partnership.

The Partnerships Office will consider your responses and contact you to discuss your proposed partnership idea.

Step 4: Look Ahead

After discussing your proposal with the Partnerships Office, next steps may include:

  • Planning: Meet with your partner to brainstorm.
    • Focus the partnership on enhancing student achievement and supporting safe, nurturing schools.
    • Identify specific activities and respective responsibilities.
    • Make sure the partnership is a good “fit” – built on common values and mutually beneficial goals.
    • Identify potential benefits that the partnership could offer both the organization and the school.
  • Resources: Allocate sufficient people, budget, and other resources to allow the partnership to succeed.
    • Identify a “champion” within the organization to coordinate partnership activities and communications.
    • Clearly define and document objectives and responsibilities.
    • Carve out time to make it happen – for communications, renewed commitment and enthusiasm.
  • Communication: Ongoing, two-way communication is the cornerstone of a successful partnership.
    • Add your partner to your organizational newsletter mailing list, and let them know about news and events in your organization.
    • Ask your partner about the good things that are happening because of the partnership! Share your excitement and satisfaction.
  • Evaluation and Evolution: A good partnership is a dynamic relationship – adaptable to changing needs and circumstances.
    • Arrange to meet at specific intervals (at least yearly) to review the effectiveness of the partnership and revise as needed.
    • Establish criteria for success that are easy to measure.
    • Allow for flexibility in revising the partnership to adapt to new or evolving circumstances and needs.
    • Be willing to discontinue the partnership if it isn’t fulfilling expectations or meeting objectives.

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