Finding a community-based organization (CBO) to partner with may seem like a daunting task, but by taking a closer look at your network, you may realize you’re already connected to the partners you’re looking for — and more than likely, they’re eager to collaborate with your agency, too.
Strong partnerships with community-based organizations (CBOs) are essential for fundraising, program implementation and securing community buy-in. Finding a CBO to collaborate with can feel like a challenge, especially in rural and suburban areas where formal nonprofits with specific expertise may be scarce. That’s why we’ve outlined a few ways participants in NRPA’s Sustainability in Practice program have successfully identified strong partners to join them in community-driven environmental sustainability planning, and how you can, too.
Where to Look for a Sustainability Partner
If you’re struggling to find a partner, start by asking: Who is already showing up? Who cares about the work we’re doing? Chances are, the connections already exist — they just haven’t been formalized as “partners” yet.
Consider:
- “Friends of the Park” groups and park foundations. Beyond advocacy and volunteer coordination, these groups could help facilitate the park planning process.
- Example: Waukegan Parks Foundation (Illinois) has successfully secured grants to enhance their local park district’s tree maintenance and native plant landscaping efforts in parks and street medians.
- Example: Waukegan Parks Foundation (Illinois) has successfully secured grants to enhance their local park district’s tree maintenance and native plant landscaping efforts in parks and street medians.
- University extension programs and college clubs. Faculty, students and researchers often have expertise that can support parks through data collection, research, and sustainable project planning and design.
- Example: South Dakota State University Extension’s horticulture team is collaborating with the City of Brookings Parks Department to create what they call “pollinator highways.”
- Example: South Dakota State University Extension’s horticulture team is collaborating with the City of Brookings Parks Department to create what they call “pollinator highways.”
- New or niche-topic organizations. Organizations with specific expertise or smaller informal groups like “green teams” and affinity groups bring passionate community members and fresh ideas.
- Example: Missouri City Green (Texas) has attracted strong community engagement for e-waste collection and tree-planting events, even partnering with local schools and businesses to host clean-ups!
- Neighborhood or business councils. These groups are already invested in local needs and networking. Could your parks serve as event spaces, and in turn, could these groups help find sponsors for park improvements.
- Example: Gastonia Parks & Recreation (North Carolina) and Keep Gastonia Beautiful collaborated with a neighborhood association council to revitalize a garden at a local park by hosting listening sessions and doing door-to-door outreach. This approach helped community members feel safe and ensured that their input shaped the park’s future.
Does Cold Calling Still Work?
Yes! Don’t hesitate to call, email, or visit local businesses and organizations with shared interests. Your current partners also can introduce you to others aligned with your mission. Lasting partnerships start with a conversation — share your agency’s initiatives and show genuine interest in theirs. Building relationships that feel collaborative rather than transactional is key to long-term success.
Making the Partnership Real
Once you’ve established a relationship and begun discussing potential collaborations, consider formalizing the partnership. While personal connections matter, written agreements help ensure continuity, even if key contacts retire or move on.
What Now?
Here’s what you can do today:
- Make a list of CBOs already active in your parks.
- Reach out — not with an ask, but with curiosity. What do they care about? What challenges do they face?
- Explore ways to collaborate, big or small. Even a modest partnership can grow over time!
If you’re looking for technical assistance and a way to solidify a partnership to support your environmental initiatives, consider NRPA’s Sustainability in Practice program. This program offers a $10,000 stipend to support sustainability projects between park agencies and CBOs. Applications for Cohort 3 are due April 11, 2025.
Collaboration isn’t about finding the “right” partner, it’s about recognizing and strengthening the relationships that already exist. The partners you need are already in your community — now is the time to connect!
Steph Whyte (she/they) is a program manager (resilience) for NRPA.