Strong partnerships can help rural communities maximize resources, solve shared challenges, and create lasting impact. By pooling expertise, funds, and staff time, smaller organizations can identify common interests, overcome familiar challenges, and develop comprehensive strategies that improve health.

This guidebook from the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) describes how rural communities can develop and maintain partnerships.

Though this resource was designed for local health departments, it identifies essential elements for improving partnerships that community-based organizations can adapt to their own work.

Small nonprofit organizations may find Sections 2 and 3 particularly helpful, featuring real-world lessons learned and profiles of successful rural partnerships that demonstrate collaboration in action.