7. Work in partnership

With authentic community engagement, the wealth that each individual brings to the table is valued; our collective work is to make space for different experiences and knowledge. Marginalized communities know themselves, and hold that knowledge and experience as they work towards solutions. Foundations bring academic rigor, and dollars, among other gifts, to the table. Government, schools, and small businesses bring different gifts.

“We need to look beyond the surface of our issues into our humanity, at our values and beliefs. Otherwise we just keep creating bandaids.” Las Cruces, NM u Work in partnership with other local foundations and regional networks of foundations. They know what’s happening on the ground. u Let local partners know of upcoming opportunities so that they can inform their communities. u Involve stakeholders in strategy development. u Be aware that when your strategy changes, it affects communities.

While all partners certainly do not bring the same gifts to the table, if welcomed and leveraged, these gifts can lead to something that no one actor could do alone. This, however, is some of the most difficult work we can engage in. It is the psychological work of working with “othering,” with privilege, class, and power, and with the systems that oppress some and lift others up.

“At first I thought it was about changing policy, It is not. It’s really about power, and we ain’t got it. The answer? Build power! Lack of power is killing people.”

(John, Oakland)

“To be cast as ‘other,’ lesser than, is a self perpetuating cycle we cannot get out of.” (Mike B, Kanawha County Health Department, West Virginia) u Work in values-based relationships with mutual accountability. u Practice not knowing. We don’t always have to have the answers, and even when we think we do have them, we may not. If we are aware that our “answer” might not be THE answer, and if we allow ourselves not to know, we can work to build a potential solution with others, in partnership. u Create partnerships where guidance is both given and taken. u Do the necessary cultural and personal work to be able to welcome those who bring different gifts to the table. Continue to do this work and increase awareness of how we can build effective partnerships.