Leveraging the Power of Community to Build the Case for a Better Earth: A Smart Practices Review
Date
2019-06-13
Authors
Shearon, Kimberly
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The purpose of this report is to provide information to Ecojustice on smart practices for developing and integrating community partnership initiatives into its existing program complement to enhance the organization’s impact. While Ecojustice collaborates with subject experts and works with other environmental organizations or individuals in a solicitor-client capacity on a regular basis, it has few established mechanisms to 'hear' perspectives from the communities it serves or provide opportunities for community members to partner in the delivery of the organization's work. This report provides insight on how Ecojustice might address this engagement gap. This report also builds knowledge on the topic of community partnerships in the field of nonprofit leadership and management.
Findings from the primary data and the literature review demonstrate that the development and implementation of community partnership initiatives have significant implications for an organization’s culture, systems and infrastructure, and strategy. The primary data findings further underscore that these initiatives are most effective when they are mission-driven and customized to leverage an organization’s unique assets and strengths. While community partnership initiatives can take various forms specific to the particular circumstances of the host organization (e.g. community organizing or community fundraising), the primary data findings reveal overlapping smart practices and challenges relevant to Ecojustice’s own consideration of whether it could, or should, undertake the development of a community partnership initiative.
Description
Keywords
Ecojustice, Community partnership, Public interest litigation, Social change, Asset-based community development, Organizing, Distributed leadership, Engagement organizing, Pyramid of engagement, Participatory leadership, Community building, OpenMedia, Earthjustice, David Suzuki Foundation, Dogwood Initiative, Pull Together, Social impact, Community partnership initiatives, Strategic litigation, Campaign strategy