1. INCEPTION
Launching effective public-private partnerships requires careful deliberation and planning. The first set of lessons provided by city leaders and their partners concerns building structures that can enable sound thinking about how to identify and then launch effective and sustainable partnerships.
Consider a Dedicated, Private Funding Arm
partnerships. The Mayor’s Fund works with agency
New York City’s private, city-oriented funds, in par-
partners to focus on data collection and evaluation,
ticular the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City,
and communicates with public and private partners
have emerged as catalysts, brokers, and supporters
about progress toward shared goals. This ensures
of public-private partnerships in New York City.
that partnerships meet key objectives and reas-
City leaders described the Mayor’s Fund as a vital
sures private partners that contributions of time
intermediary and source of financial and technical
and resources are connected to specific, success-
support. Other cities can similarly create 501(c)(3)
ful efforts.
not-for-profit funds to take leadership in coordinating city needs with private partners, while at the same
Getting a philanthropic arm up and running requires
time serving as central hubs for fundraising.
focusing on key challenges to address, and anticipating potential trouble spots. “My advice is to start with
There are many advantages to a dedicated philan-
a set of issues you want to address and ways you
thropic arm. One is to foster effective collaboration.
hope to do that and then do outreach to potential
Kristin Morse called the Mayor’s Fund “a critical
partners,” Megan Sheekey stated. She also cau-
partner, serving as the centralized place where
tioned about political pitfalls: “I tell them to vet their
funders had a good way to collaborate with the city.”
donors and think about the political implications of
As a focal point for partnerships, the Mayor’s Fund
your partners. Because of your relationship with the
enables better coordination throughout its suite of
government, you’re going to have more eyes on you,
programs and keeps partners involved over time.
as you arguably should.”
Another advantage is to promote and celebrate the
“It’s a model that can be used by any municipality,”
very idea of cross-sector partnership, generating
said Sheekey, noting that a philanthropic arm can
interest across sectors. As Morse explained of the
contribute to long-term sustainability for partner-
Mayor’s Fund, “Part of it is just being the broad
ships: “We’re really invested in the momentum, and
ambassadors for these partnerships. I think it
we don’t want people to walk away from the invest-
elevates what we are working on together.”
ments they’ve made.”
A dedicated philanthropic arm like the Mayor’s Fund also provides for effective accountability, which is ultimately essential to the long-term viability of