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The following table gives a brief outline of the key elements in various types of linkages a nonprofit might employ to maximize effectiveness and leverage resources.

The table is adapted from community-building training presented in 1997 by South Dakota State University Cooperative Extension Service/National Network for Collaborations.

Levels	Purpose	Structure	Process
Networking	dialog clearinghouse base of support	non-hierarchical flexible link roles loosely defined	informal leaders minimal decisions little conflict informal communication
Cooperation or Alliance	needs/resources coordinated low duplication tasks acknowledged	few people serve communication hub roles defined links advisory group leverages $	facilitative leaders complex decisions some conflict formal communication
Coordination or Partnership	$ shared merged resource base to create something new	core people serve as decision makers roles defined links formalized new $ developed	issue-focused leaders group decision-making communication is frequent and clear
Coalition	ideas shared resources realigned three-year commitment	shared decisions roles/time defined written linkages new resources and merged budget	shared leadership communication is common and prioritized
Collaboration	shared vision interdependent system	consensus of all in decision-making roles/time/evaluation formalized written formal links	shared leadership high trust level ideas/decision shared high level of communication