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Community toolkit essentials

nyc Department of Youth & Community Development logo

Community toolkit essentials

Strengthening Communities: Building Strategic Partnerships

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Tools for Partnership

Building the skills to create and sustain strong partnerships is essential for driving lasting impact in NYC programs, schools, and communities. Effective partnerships foster trust, alignment, and shared responsibility among educators, families, and community organizations, resulting in better outcomes for students. Trainings focused on cultivating principal partnerships help establish collaborative leadership, while sessions on managing difficult partnerships equip stakeholders with strategies to navigate conflict and rebuild trust. Additionally, trainings on identifying partnerships for success provide tools to assess values alignment, capacity, and long-term potential. Together, these skill-building efforts ensure that partnerships are not only formed, but nurtured to create meaningful, equity-centered change.
Interested in viewing training resources?

Check out this FOLDER with decks, resources, and activities for building stronger partnerships.  Feel free to train your colleagues or team!

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Training and Capacity Building Plan →

Purpose: Ensures that all partners have the necessary skills and resources to fulfill their roles.

  • Identified training needs
  • Scheduled workshops or training sessions
  • Budget for capacity-building efforts
  • Evaluation of training effectivenessy

Networking Toolkit for Nonprofits

Nonprofit organizations in New York City have access to numerous resources that can strengthen networking across DYCD’s Strategic Partnership Continuum. These resources span professional associations, community groups, events, and online platforms, helping nonprofits connect, coordinate, cooperate, and collaborate effectively.  They support networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration at every stage of DYCD’s Strategic Partnership Continuum.

1. Local Nonprofit Networks and Associations
  • Nonprofit New York
    • Offers workshops, peer networking events, and access to collaborative tools.
    • Hosts the annual Nonprofit Excellence Awards.
  • Support Center NYC
    • Provides training and peer-learning groups.
    • Facilitates nonprofit partnerships and leadership programs.
  • New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON)
    • Supports nonprofits with governance and networking opportunities.

2. Community Foundations and Funding Networks

  • The New York Community Trust
    • Acts as a hub for connecting nonprofits with funders and other organizations focused on shared goals.
    • Hosts events and initiatives promoting collaboration in philanthropy.
  • Robin Hood Foundation
    • Offers funding opportunities and networking events aimed at nonprofits addressing poverty in NYC.
  • Philanthropy New York
    • Brings together grantmakers and nonprofits through workshops, panels, and collaborative initiatives.

3. Convening and Networking Spaces

  • Centre for Social Innovation (CSI) NYC
    • Provides co-working spaces for nonprofits and social enterprises, fostering in-person networking and collaboration.
    • Hosts events and workshops for community building and knowledge sharing.
  • Impact Hub NYC
    • Focused on social impact organizations, this space offers networking events and programming to strengthen collaboration.
  • NYC Public Libraries
    • Local branches like the New York Public Library (NYPL) host free or low-cost workshops, networking events, and resources for nonprofit professionals.

4. Advocacy and Sector-Specific Groups

  • Human Services Council (HSC)
    • Connects nonprofits in human services, fostering advocacy and shared learning opportunities.
    • Organizes networking events and collaborative campaigns.
  • Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED)
    • Provides opportunities for nonprofits in housing and development to network and partner on projects.

5. Higher Education and Research Institutes

  • Columbia University School of Professional Studies – Nonprofit Management Program
    • Hosts events, workshops, and forums for nonprofits to connect with academia and other professionals.
  • NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
    • Offers nonprofit-focused panels, networking opportunities, and access to research for evidence-based collaboration.

6. Networking Events and Conferences

  • Nonprofit Tech Club NYC
    • Hosts regular events focused on leveraging technology for nonprofit success, providing great networking opportunities.
  • Social Impact Exchange Annual Conference
    • Gathers nonprofit professionals, funders, and consultants to discuss and foster collective impact initiatives.
  • New York Nonprofit Conference (NYnConf)
    • Brings together nonprofits from various sectors to share ideas and build partnerships.

7. Online NYC-Specific Platforms

  • NYC Service
    • A city initiative connecting nonprofits with volunteers and other organizations for shared projects and collaboration.
  • Idealist NYC Events
    • Regularly updates local nonprofit job fairs, networking sessions, and workshops in NYC.
8. Sector-Specific Networking Opportunities
  • Arts and Culture Organizations
    • New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA): Offers networking opportunities for nonprofits in the arts sector.
    • Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC): Connects nonprofits in arts with funding and partnership opportunities.
  • Health and Human Services
    • Community Health Care Association of NYS (CHCANYS): Facilitates networking for nonprofits in healthcare.
9. Local Meetups and Volunteer Groups
  • NYC Nonprofit Meetup Groups:
    • Meetup.com features groups like the NYC Nonprofit Professionals Meetup for casual networking and knowledge sharing.
  • New York Cares
    • A volunteering platform that connects nonprofits with individuals and other organizations, fostering partnerships.