Partnership Readiness Checklist

Collaboration gets difficult when everyone agrees to the idea but nobody agrees to the responsibilities. Before inviting a partner into a project, get specific about what each side is actually doing.

Before you ask for a partnership

• Define the project and the specific role you want the partner to play.

• Explain why the partnership makes sense for both sides.

• Identify what you are contributing.

• Identify what you are requesting.

• Set decision deadlines and project dates.

• Clarify money, in-kind support, branding, data, photography, and ownership expectations.

• Assign one point of contact on each side.

• Document the agreement in writing.

Clarify the value exchange

A strong community partnership might exchange space for programming, audience access for educational value, funding for measurable impact, professional expertise for visibility, or outreach capacity for broader participation. The exchange does not have to be equal in dollars, but it should be understood by both sides.

Put changes in writing

If the scope, budget, timeline, or responsibilities change, update the agreement. Memory is not a project-management system.

Creative Currency is a free knowledge-sharing initiative from The Collaboration Corp.