A community business partnership is a collaboration between a business and a community organisation working together to achieve outcomes for the community in which they both operate. While partnerships can take many forms (for example some partnerships involve several businesses and community groups) there are some basic elements that are common to all good partnerships.

Community business partnerships are more than just sponsorship or marketing arrangements - both partners should make roughly equal contributions, and receive equal benefits. Partnership members should have some shared values and objectives and importantly a shared respect for one another.

A partnership also offers a great opportunity for shared learning in which both organisations can draw upon the unique skills of the other and benefit from the sharing of ability, expertise, time and resources. In addition to providing a solution to a need in the community, a good community business partnership can also benefit the partners for example by boosting staff morale, customer loyalty and community goodwill.

Collaboration between the partners takes many forms the business may offer in-kind support, financial assistance and technical expertise, for example.

The community organisation may provide training and mentoring as well as enabling the business to expand its networks.

Being part of a community business partnership is one way in which a business is able to demonstrate to the community in which it operates that it is a socially responsible company.