Community Partners - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Community Partners and what do you do?

Community Partners accelerates ideas into action for the public good. We are provide Incubator Services for start-up nonprofits; provide legal and fiscal sponsorship for nonprofits; and lead Strategic Initiatives to strengthen the civic capacity of Los Angeles residents, community leaders, and nonprofit organizations.

How do I contact Community Partners?

We are located at:
1000 North Alameda Street, Suite 240
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213.346.3200 phone
213.808.1009 fax

Community Partners is located in The California Endowment’s Center for Healthy Communities. The closest large cross street is Cesar Chavez. The immediate cross street is Bauchet Street.

Get full driving, public transportation and parking directions, as well as a map. Or see our staff directory.

What is Community Partners’ fax number?

213.808.1009

How do I get to Community Partners?

Get full driving, public transportation and parking directions, as well as a map.

Where can I park? Is it free?

The parking lot is behind the California Endowment building. From Alameda Street, turn onto Bauchet Street, then follow the road as it curves left and leads to the parking entrance. Parking is free.

What services does Community Partners provide?

Community Partners provides a range of services to assist individuals, organizations and institutions in effectively addressing the complex neighborhood, social, economic and policy issues facing the Southern California region. We provide basic services needed by leaders of start-up community projects. These include receiving tax-deductible charitable contributions, payment of project expenses, budget workshops, strategic counsel on program planning, and feedback on program effectiveness. We also manage, coordinate and assist privately and publicly funded local and statewide initiatives. On occasion, we convene community stakeholders around important issues, generate information and analysis and support the process of addressing community challenges.

What is the process for becoming a project of Community Partners and how long does it take?

The following chart summarizes the process for becoming a project of Community Partners:

STEP 1: Determine if Community Partners is the right fit
STEP 2: Attend a Planning Workshop
STEP 3: Submit a proposal to become a Community Partner
STEP 4: Proposal is reviewed by Community Partners staff and board members

Learn more about our Incubator Services and what kinds of projects are a good fit for our incubator. Get information on applying for project status. It takes approximately six to eight weeks from the date of application for a project to be approved by the Community Partners board, although this process can be expedited in urgent situations.

What does Community Partners look for in the projects and Project Leaders it accepts for sponsorship?

We seek projects that show promise for strengthening the civic and social fabric that connects people, neighborhoods and institutions of Southern California. We encourage broad creativity and believe that beyond meeting important civic, social, economic and cultural needs, projects sponsored by Community Partners should serve as vehicles for fortifying the leadership capabilities of our Project Partners.

We look at the project leadership's understanding of community needs, the strength of the case they make for the project, and their past experience successfully solving problems. Because Project Leaders usually cannot reach their goals without cash and other contributed resources, we work with prospective Project Leaders to make sure reasonable prospects exist for them to raise the resources necessary to operate the project. Finally, we look for Project Leaders with a passion for and the capability of drawing others – including members of a formal advisory board – into a circle of interest around the project and its goals.

What restrictions do you have on the types of projects you accept for sponsorship?

Projects vary widely. We do not sponsor religious projects. We are a tax-exempt, charitable organization organized for the public benefit; therefore, we explicitly avoid commercial or profit-making ventures. We instead encourage individuals merely seeking employment or who want to start businesses to work with other excellent resources available in Southern California. Also, we do not sponsor one-time-only events such as charity concerts. All events to raise funds or awareness of a Community Partners’ project must be conducted as part of a project with a specific program service plan. Finally, we consider film and video projects only when such media are integrated with a larger direct-service program.

Can a sponsored project solicit charitable contributions under the sponsorship of Community Partners?

Yes. All projects sponsored by Community Partners can receive contributions tax-deductible by donors to the full extent allowable under state and federal law. We review all grant proposals, publicity materials, and solicitations prepared by Project Leaders to ensure that they comply with applicable laws. Funds raised to support sponsored projects are administered in separate and distinct fund accounts and pay only for activities of each sponsored project.

How much does Community Partners charge for its services?

Community Partners assesses an administrative charge, which is deducted from project income when it is received. The administration charge is 9% of revenues from private sources, and 12% of revenues from public sources (grants from and contracts with government agencies) because they require significantly more staff time to administer.

There is no fee to submit a project proposal or to attend our Planning Workshop.

Does Community Partners provide funding to sponsored projects? Do you cover expenses when there is a cash flow problem?

Community Partners does not provide funding to sponsored projects. We provide all of the legal, corporate, fiscal and administrative systems necessary to strengthen donor interest by maintaining excellent records and providing high levels of accountability to those making philanthropic investments in projects. When a sponsored project receives funding and begins to encounter ongoing expenses for such things as personnel and facilities, the project leadership must maintain a six-week operating reserve. If funds fall below that reserve amount, we work with Project Leaders to trim expenses or to otherwise curtail activities.

Does Community Partners write grant proposals and otherwise solicit funds for its sponsored projects?

No. Our role is to enable Project Leaders to acquire and refine the skills necessary to succeed in securing project operating funds. We help Project Leaders make the strongest case possible for support. We meet individually with Project Leaders and advisors to help them formulate resource development strategies. When asked, we accompany Project Leaders to meetings with prospective funders. We also conduct grant proposal writing and fundraising workshops, meet-the-funder forums, and peer-to-peer discussions on how to address funding and other challenges.

How many projects does Community Partners sponsor?

Currently, Community Partners sponsors over 170 projects that range in size from small volunteer efforts with very limited budgets to projects with revenues over $1,000,000 annually. Our projects encompass a broad array of issues and strategies, including youth development, education, arts, health, social service, advocacy, economic development, and employment. Read some of our project success stories.

How long can a project be sponsored by Community Partners?

We expect projects to stay at least a year under our sponsorship, but do not place a limit on the length of time a project can remain under our auspices. Working with Project Leaders, we evaluate each project annually to ensure continuous progress toward project goals. We take Project Leaders through a deliberate and intentional separation process once they and their advisory board decide their project has reached a level of sustainability.

How long does it take to become a Community Partners project?

It usually takes six to eight weeks for us to complete the project review process from application to board approval. Under certain circumstances, we can expedite the application process.

How do I register for the Planning Workshop?

Get information about and registration instructions for our Planning Workshops, which are free and open to the public.