Involving the Business Sector in Community/University Partnerships

Abstract

With support of the Council of Independent Colleges' Implementing Urban Missions program, Lesley University's School of Management (SOM) has developed relationships with corporations that are committed to making a difference in the communities where they have a presence. Our experience has shown that corporations that wish to support their local community are not limited to philanthropic initiatives as their primary instrument for community outreach; rather, greater benefits can be achieved through collaborative partnerships bringing together businesses, city government, human services agencies and community residents. This article describes the partnerships that Lesley's SOM, the local business community, and community-based organizations have developed in support of the Area 4 neighborhood in Cambridge, Massachusetts.