References Table

Example Evaluation Indicators

Goal Area	Sample Indicators
Volunteer Engagement	• Number of volunteers retained year-over-year • Percentage increase in repeat participation  • Average volunteer hours contributed per person
Community Awareness	• Number of event attendees  • Social media reach and engagement  • Survey-based awareness or recognition scores
Partnership Development	• Number of active partner organizations   • Diversity of sectors represented (nonprofit, faith, business, education, government)   • Frequency of partner collaboration meetings or shared initiatives
Resident Satisfaction	• Post-event satisfaction survey ratings  • Focus group feedback on inclusivity, communication, and accessibility  • Percentage of residents reporting increased sense of belonging
Program Sustainability	• Availability of recurring funding or sponsorships  • Number of programs continuing beyond one year  • Evidence of policy or structural support for ongoing initiatives

Common Faith Groups and Their Priorities

Faith Group	Common U.S. Orgs/Networks	Priorities	First Point of Contact
Catholic	Catholic Charities agencies; St. Vincent de Paul councils & parish conferences; dioceses/parishes	Food banks & pantries, rent/utility assistance, homelessness response, refugee services, disaster aid	Local Catholic Charities office; local SVdP council; diocesan community services office.
Evangelical	Southern Baptist (Send Relief / State Baptist Disaster Relief); Assemblies of God partners (Convoy of Hope); independent megachurches	Disaster response, mass volunteer mobilization, food distribution/outreach events	State Baptist Disaster Relief coordinator; Send Relief hub; Convoy of Hope regional team.
Protestant	United Methodist (UMCOR); ELCA (Lutheran Disaster Response & Lutheran Services in America); Presbyterian Disaster Assistance; Episcopal Relief & Development; United Church of Christ Disaster Ministries	Disaster preparedness & long-term recovery, case management, senior care, disability services, congregational volunteer teams	Conference/diocesan disaster or outreach office; LSA member agency in your area. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Episcopal Relief & Development UMCOR
Orthodox Christian	Greek/Antiochian/Orthodox Church in America parishes; IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities)	Parish-based disaster shelters/distribution, volunteer rebuild teams	Local parish; IOCC US Programs / “Homefront” parishes.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints	Stakes/wards; Bishops’ Storehouse; Church Humanitarian Services	Disaster response, food warehousing, self-reliance/welfare help, volunteers	Local stake president or welfare specialist; Church Humanitarian Services.
Seventh-day Adventist	Adventist Community Services (ACS)	Disaster distribution, clothing/household goods, community health	Regional ACS director; local Adventist church.
Jewish	Jewish Federations; JCCs; social-service agencies; Chabad centers	Community security & antisemitism response, refugee/immigrant aid, senior & family services, interfaith ties	Jewish Federation for your area; local Chabad center.
Muslim	Mosques/Islamic centers; Islamic Relief USA; local zakat committees	Food aid (zakat), youth/education, health clinics, disaster response	Mosque imam/board; IRUSA regional staff
Hindu	BAPS Charities; regional temples/temple councils	Health fairs, blood drives, education & environmental projects, festival volunteering	Local BAPS Charities chapter; temple board.
Buddhist	SGI-USA community centers; Fo Guang Shan/Hsi Lai Temple; Buddhist Churches of America (regional)	Peace/education programming, youth leadership, cultural festivals, interfaith service	SGI-USA local center; nearby temple/monastery office.
Sikh	Gurdwaras (Sikh temples) & seva groups	Langar (free community meals), disaster feeding, interfaith service	Gurdwara management committee (often listed online).
Bahá’í	Local Spiritual Assemblies; U.S. National Spiritual Assembly	Neighborhood-based community-building, children & junior-youth programs, interfaith	Local Bahá’í contact or 1-800-22-UNITE.
Salvation Army (Christian denomination + social-service network)	Salvation Army Corps & social-service sites in most cities	Food, shelter, case management, disaster work, youth programs	Local Corps or area command.

Formal Agreement Reference Tables

Comparison Overview

Aspect	MOU	Contract
Purpose	Defines shared intent and outlines collaboration roles.	Establishes legally enforceable obligations and terms.
Legal Standing	May or may not be non-binding (depending on wording).	Legally binding and enforceable.
Tone	Cooperative, trust-based, flexible	Formal, transactional, precise
Flexibility	High – Easy to adjust or renew.	Lower – changes require amendments.
Best For	Low-risk collaboration, coordination, referrals, volunteer engagement, joint communications.	Payments, reimbursements, space use, data sharing, high-risk activities, or IP/licensing.
General Rule	Use when collaboration is based on trust and shared goals.	Use when money, space, or risk are exchanged.

MOU: Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits	Potential Drawbacks
Clarity: Defines who is responsible for what, reducing confusion.	Formality: Some faith communities or small nonprofits may see it as unnecessary bureaucracy.
Accountability: Provides a written reference if questions or disputes arise.	Trust Concerns: Overemphasis on paperwork can feel impersonal or signal a lack of trust.
Continuity: Maintains consistency if leadership changes on either side.	Time and Effort: Drafting and review may slow early momentum.
Professionalism: Signals commitment and seriousness.	Flexibility: Can feel rigid if relationships or goals shift.
Leverage: May make it easier to secure funding, share space, or access resources.	—

Contract: Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits	Potential Drawbacks
Enforceability: Legally binding, with clear remedies if commitments aren’t met.	Complexity: Requires legal review and additional paperwork
Risk Management: Allows for insurance, safety, and indemnification requirements.	Rigidity: Changes often need amendments or approvals.
Funding & Compliance: Enables payments, reimbursements, and audit-ready documentation.	Tone: May feel transactional or overly formal for community partners.
Specificity: Details deliverables, quality standards, and timelines.	Capacity/Cost: Smaller partners may struggle with compliance or insurance requirements.
Access & Permissions: Covers facility use, branding, data privacy, and intellectual property.	—

Common Funding Sources

Funding Source	Description	Pros/Advantages	Cons/Disadvantages	Best for...
Local Businesses & Corporate Sponsors	Includes both financial and in-kind contributions (cash donations, goods, services, printing, venues, or professional expertise) from local companies, chambers of commerce, and corporate branches invested in community impact.	Builds long-term local partnerships; promotes civic pride and shared investment; in-kind support can offset costs; provides sponsors with positive visibility and PR value.	Smaller communities may have fewer corporate donors; businesses may expect recognition or influence over how funds are used; potential inequity if only certain sectors participate.	Small and midsize cities with active business networks. Pair sponsorship packages with community events or campaigns that highlight mutual benefit and civic pride.
Faith-Based Institutions, Foundations, & Charitable Organizations	Involves partnering with churches, mosques, synagogues, and community or family foundations that prioritize service, compassion, and local betterment. Support may include funding, volunteers, event space, or co-hosted service drives.	Deeply trusted community presence; mission alignment with service goals; can mobilize large volunteer bases quickly; often have established funding or donation systems.	May have focus limitations (e.g., only family/youth programs); requires sensitivity to religious neutrality and inclusive framing in public projects.	Projects with broad community benefit—such as hunger relief, housing repair, or youth mentorship—where missions align naturally. Co-sponsorships can strengthen civic unity and reach.
Resident/Community Fundraising	Combines local events (dinners, concerts, fun runs), online giving platforms (e.g., GoFundMe), and direct donor outreach to mobilize small-scale, widespread community support.	Builds civic ownership and awareness; low barrier to entry for residents; strengthens community identity through participation and storytelling; can merge fun, service, and fundraising.	Lower average donations require more participants; success depends on consistent communication and follow-up; event logistics or digital promotion can be time-intensive.	Neighborhood or citywide projects with visible impact (park improvements, youth programs, beautification efforts). Use both online and in-person campaigns with strong storytelling and progress updates to maintain momentum.
Grantmaking Organizations (Local, State, Federal)	Public or private grant programs supporting community engagement, resilience, health, or civic innovation. Funding is typically competitive and tied to measurable outcomes.	Enables larger-scale or multi-year projects; provides credibility and visibility; builds institutional knowledge for future applications.	Application and reporting requirements can be resource-heavy; timelines may not align with immediate needs; highly competitive.	Cities with the capacity to manage data and documentation. Start small with local foundations or community block grants, then scale to state or federal levels as systems mature.

Example Sponsorship Framework*

Sponsorship Level	Suggested Contribution Range	Recognition & Benefits	Best Fit For...
Community Champion (Gold)	$5,000+ or equivalent in-kind support	- Logo placement on all event materials, banners, and city website   - Verbal recognition during opening remarks - Featured spotlight post on city’s social media or newsletter   - Invitation to a thank-you luncheon or networking event	Major local employers, corporations, or foundations looking for broad visibility and long-term partnership.
Neighborhood Partner (Silver)	$2,000 - $,4,999	- Logo on select materials (e.g., event programs, signage)   - Mention in press releases or city announcements   - Recognition on social media with event photos	Small to midsize businesses or faith-based groups wanting to visibly support local initiatives.
Community Friend (Bronze)	$500 - $1,999	- Name listing on event signage or flyer   - Mention in post-event thank-you newsletter   - Certificate of appreciation from city leadership	Local shops, civic clubs, and small organizations supporting neighborhood-focused projects.
In-Kind Contributor	Equivalent value in goods, services or venues	- Recognition according to estimated contribution value   - Opportunity to display banner or materials at event (if applicable)   - Thank-you mention in digital or printed materials	Businesses donating supplies, printing, catering, or space instead of cash contributions.

* These categories are only examples—cities can adjust the contribution ranges, recognition methods, and benefits to fit local norms and project scale. The key is clarity and fairness: sponsors should know exactly how their support will be used and acknowledged, and recognition should always align with the community’s values of service, transparency, and collaboration.

501(c)(3) Partnership Models

Model	Description	Financial Advantages	Challenges/Considerations	Best For...
Independent 501(c)(3)	A separate nonprofit established to support city priorities (e.g., “Friends of the Library,” “City Foundation”). Operates independently but aligns closely with city goals.	• Direct access to charitable grants and tax-deductible donations. • Control over fundraising strategy and fund allocation. • Can build endowments or reserve funds for long-term projects. • Funds stay local and tied to civic priorities.	• Requires startup costs, legal filing, and IRS approval. • Needs dedicated board, bookkeeping, and annual compliance (Form 990). • Administrative overhead and staff capacity needed for sustainability. • Potential mission drift without city coordination.	Cities with steady fundraising activity, donor interest, and capacity to manage nonprofit operations.
Fiscal Agent/Sponsor Partnership	The city partners with an existing 501(c)(3) that receives and manages charitable funds for specific projects. The sponsor handles donations, receipting, and disbursement.	• Immediate eligibility for charitable donations and grants. • Minimal administrative burden on the city. • Provides credible financial oversight and audit-ready reporting. • Cost-effective—small admin fee vs. full nonprofit setup.	• Fiscal agent retains legal control of all funds. • Requires written MOU or contract outlining scope and reporting. • Less flexibility in branding or spending decisions. • Dependent on sponsor’s timeline and accounting systems.	Smaller or mid-sized cities, pilot initiatives, or short-term projects where forming a nonprofit is impractical.
Community Foundation Partnership	A regional philanthropic foundation pools donations and redistributes funds to local causes. Cities can create a designated fund within the foundation for civic or service projects.	• Professional fund management, investment growth, and reporting. • Donors gain confidence through established oversight. • Foundation may match funds or connect donors. • Reduces need for separate 501(c)(3) administration.	• City has limited control over disbursement; must align with foundation priorities. • Administrative fees (typically 1–3 %). • Requires ongoing communication to maintain alignment. • Less visible city branding on fundraising materials.	Cities seeking quick, compliant access to philanthropic dollars and professional management without creating a new nonprofit.
Collaboration with Existing Nonprofits	The city joins forces with established nonprofits to co-host initiatives, apply for grants, or share funding opportunities. Each manages its own budget while aligning goals and communications.	• Immediate access to nonprofit funding channels and donor networks. • Allows donors to give tax-deductibly through trusted partners. • Minimal administrative or legal setup for the city. • Optimizes limited city budgets through shared resources.	• City has no direct control of funds. • Requires clear MOU for expectations, reporting, and recognition. • Success depends on strong communication and aligned missions. • Some grants restrict collaborative or multi-entity applications.	Cities with strong local nonprofits and shared community goals; ideal for extending reach without expanding city infrastructure.