Capacity Through Partnerships

Many other organizations and community groups have goals and do work that both intersect with climate mitigation and community resilience. ACTT’s best work has occurred through both partnerships and serving as a catalyst and resource to support existing interests in the community. 

Partnerships are one of the most effective ways to amplify impact, build capacity, and create long-term sustainability for your work. Strong partnerships allow groups to share resources, knowledge, and networks while avoiding duplication of efforts. However, partnerships also require careful planning and ongoing relationship-building.

Approaching and Establishing Partnerships


Once you’ve identified potential partners, focus on mutual benefit: what can you offer, and what do you need? When reaching out:

  • Be clear about your mission and goals. Articulate what your group is trying to achieve and how the partnership fits into that vision.

  • Demonstrate how the partnership will benefit all participants. Rather than just asking for support, highlight how working together will help the partnering organization meet their own goals—whether it’s public visibility, community goodwill, shared resources, or advancing their sustainability commitments.

  • Pilot a project before committing to a long-term partnership. By collaborating on a small initiative first, you can test the relationship, build trust, and learn how to work together before scaling up. 

  • Define roles early. Clarify expectations, decision-making processes, and contributions upfront to avoid misunderstandings later.

Not all partnerships look the same. Some might be formal, with written agreements, while others are more informal, based on shared values and collaboration. Understanding different types of partnerships can help you tailor your approach:

  • Strategic Alliances 

    • Occur when two or more groups align efforts on a specific initiative. This could involve co-hosting community events, pooling resources to tackle a shared goal, or launching joint advocacy campaigns. Strategic alliances work well when different groups bring complementary strengths to the table.

  • Resource-Sharing 

    • Some partnerships involve one group providing funding, materials, or volunteers to another. This might include a local business donating supplies for a tree-planting event, a foundation providing financial support, or a school offering meeting space. Knowledge and experience can also be resources exchanged in partnership.

  • Formal Project Partnerships

  • Advocacy & Policy Partnerships 

    • Occur when organizations collaborate to push for policy changes at the local, state, or national level. These partnerships are particularly useful for influencing decision-makers, amplifying community voices, and building coalitions around key climate issues. 

  • Fiscal Sponsorships 

    • If your group isn’t a nonprofit but wants to access grant funding, partnering with an existing nonprofit as a fiscal sponsor can be a strategic move. A fiscal sponsor can handle financial administration while you focus on programming and outreach. Most fiscal sponsors will charge a percentage of all gifts to cover their time spent processing funds and financial information.

  • Community mapping: to visually map local assets, initiatives, and networks in your community. Helps identify existing strengths and opportunities for collaboration. 

  • Relationship mapping: to identify key partners, understand power dynamics, and strengthen strategic relationships.

Local governments often have climate action plans, sustainability committees, or grant funding that aligns with your mission. Look for opportunities to support existing municipal projects or advocate for new ones. Connecting with municipal staff early on can help ensure that your efforts complement broader community planning.

Business

Local businesses can be key allies, providing sponsorships or in-kind donations.

Some businesses may also be looking for ways to improve their sustainability practices and could benefit from your expertise. For example, some restaurants can be interested in food waste reduction programs. 

Local Service Providers

Local organizations that provide critical service roles, addressing issues like food security, housing, and health, can be important partners, both in planning projects at the intersection of climate and other priority issues and in reaching diverse sectors of the local community, including vulnerable populations.

Types of Partnerships

Identifying Potential Partners

Before reaching out, take time to map out who in your community might be valuable allies. Consider:

Existing Environmental Groups

Are there organizations already focused on climate or environmental issues? Partnering with them can help strengthen shared efforts, avoid duplicating work, and open doors to funding and expertise.

Schools and Universities

Higher academic institutions can offer research support, student volunteers, or access to event spaces. Faculty members working in climate-related fields may be interested in collaborating, and student organizations can help with outreach and engagement efforts. The local public school system can be a very important partner, both in specific projects and in cultivating engagement across families. 

Faith communities, libraries and civic groups

Many religious congregations and civic organizations (such as Rotary Clubs or community foundations) have strong community networks and are often engaged in social and environmental justice efforts. These groups can be powerful allies in mobilizing local action and providing outreach opportunities.

Municipal Goverments

Resources