As a State Refugee Coordinator (SRC), you play a vital role in supporting newcomers by partnering with community-based organizations (CBOs). To help you strengthen these partnerships, Switchboard gathered insights from CBO leaders and staff through a national survey and input from SRCs through conversations the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) facilitated. This blog offers practical approaches based on what we learned to strengthen your partnerships with CBOs and build lasting trust.
Why Partnerships Matter
Effective refugee resettlement and integration require strong partnerships with community-based organizations (CBOs). The term “CBO” covers a wide range of groups, from large resettlement agencies to smaller, grassroots organizations, including many ethnic community-based organizations (ECBOs). Smaller CBOs often face unique challenges related to funding, capacity, and recognition, while larger agencies may have more established resources and infrastructure. The strategies we highlight draw insights from both small and larger CBOs to help you build trust, improve communication, and foster meaningful collaboration across a wide range of community partners.
One simple but powerful insight we heard in our consultations with CBOs and SRCs is that the more communities know about what an SRC does, the more positively they describe their relationships. Staying visible, engaged, and transparent helps SRCs strengthen trust and unlock the full potential of community partnerships.
In the sections that follow, we explore key barriers to strong partnerships, effective strategies that work, practical tips for SRCs, and reflections on promising practices from SRCs themselves.
Strengthen Communication & Transparency
The Barrier: Many CBOs experience gaps in communication or unclear expectations about SRCs and what their teams do on a day-to-day basis. Smaller, grassroots CBOs often face additional challenges due to limited staff capacity and less access to established networks. SRCs also struggle to “translate” resettlement jargon into language communities can relate to, both literally and figuratively.
What works? Regular, proactive outreach that is clear, consistent, and jargon-free builds trust. Smaller CBOs benefit from tailored, frequent check-ins to address their unique needs. Larger agencies may have more established communication channels, but all CBOs gain from transparent information and accessible language. Effective communication that reaches community groups broadly strengthens partnerships and responsiveness.
What can you do?
- Schedule regular check-ins and site visits to connect directly with CBOs and understand their needs.
- Share plain-language newsletters and updates that keep communities informed and engaged.
- Actively include leaders from smaller and larger CBOs in advisory councils, task forces, and planning meetings.
- Translate complex policies and processes into straightforward language that everyone can understand.
- Increase visibility and build trust by attending community events, hosting public webinars, and forming relationships beyond your immediate network.
Invest in Funding, Resources & Capacity
The Barrier: Smaller and grassroots CBOs, including many ECBOs, often lack sufficient funding, resources, and technical support. In addition to limited access, many have less experience navigating complex state or federal grant requirements, which can create barriers to funding. Larger resettlement agencies may have more stable funding, but unpredictable grants challenge your planning and ability to support community needs.
What works? Reliable and flexible funding helps smaller CBOs plan ahead and build their capacity. You can strengthen the network by offering training on grant writing and management, and by fostering mentorship between experienced agencies and smaller or newer CBOs. When you communicate clearly about funding opportunities and collaborate on resource needs, you build trust and create stronger, more sustainable partnerships.
What can you do?
- Support smaller grassroots CBOs in leading grant applications and programs not just as sub-awardees working under budgets of larger resettlement organizations. Truly effective funding partnerships involve CBOs holding the reins, boosting their capacity and ownership.
- Explore braided funding models that combine resources from multiple sources to provide stable support.
- Partner experienced lead agencies with smaller or newer CBOs to mentor and build capacity.
- Offer training workshops on grant writing, program management, and relevant skills to empower CBO staff.
- Build technical support mechanisms into the grant cycle—such as pre-application information sessions, proposal feedback, and regular check-ins during implementation—to reduce barriers and foster long-term trust.
- Ensure funding opportunities and new initiatives are communicated clearly and promptly to CBOs.
- Consider hiring staff dedicated to community engagement. If hiring additional staff is slow or not feasible, consider alternatives such as contracting trusted CBOs or consultants to support community engagement and strengthen partnership efforts.
Recognize & Elevate Community Expertise
The Barrier: Smaller, grassroots CBOs, including many ECBOs, often believe their knowledge and contributions are overlooked. This can lead to frustration and less engagement. Larger agencies may have more recognition and resources, but you face challenges with all CBOs when balancing oversight with trust in community expertise.
What works? Valuing smaller CBOs as trusted experts and collaborators strengthens partnerships and improves service quality. When you actively invest in community events, consult CBO leaders, and co-create materials or initiatives, you build mutual respect and shared ownership. Recognizing community expertise means prioritizing leadership from within these communities and empowering CBO leaders to serve as bridges to broader systems, especially by creating paid roles that connect your office with diverse community networks.
What can you do?
- While being present at events hosted by CBOs can help build strong connections, move beyond just attendance by investing resources, staffing support, or funding to help smaller CBOs lead successful events that build community cohesion.
- Include leaders from smaller and grassroots CBOs (not just larger agencies) in advisory councils and task forces with real decision-making power.
- Co-create outreach materials that authentically reflect the voices and cultures of smaller communities and compensate CBOs fairly for their expertise.
- Prioritize hiring staff with relevant community knowledge and experience including creating liaison positions that bridge your office and smaller CBOs or ECBOs.
- Set clear, transparent expectations but stay flexible to adapt to the needs and leadership styles of smaller CBOs.
- Recognize that authentic partnerships mean smaller CBOs and ECBOs should be leading conversations about their communities and receiving the funding needed to support that leadership.
Additional Resources for SRCs and CBOs
Building strong partnerships takes ongoing effort, but the benefits to communities and programs are well worth it. The following resources offer practical tools, guides, and examples to support you and CBOs in deepening collaboration and strengthening newcomer services.
- Archived Webinar: ECBO Partnership with State Refugee Offices
- Info Guide: Connecting with Your State Refugee Office: Strategies for Promoting ECBO Sustainability Through State-Level Partnerships
- Blog: Advancing State-Level Refugee Services
- Blog: Refugee Quarterly Consultations: Innovative Models for Empowering Community Connections
The IRC received competitive funding through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Grant #90RB0053. The project is 100% financed by federal funds. The contents of this document are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.
