School District of Philadelphia Partnerships Data Project

Abstract

In Philadelphia, a structural budget deficit has forced schools to begin each year with fewer resources available than the year prior. While the opportunity for a fair funding formula may be on the horizon, external partners (or resource-bringers) have come to play an increasingly important role in supporting schools. Members of the local nonprofit, higher education and corporate sectors may look to partner with neighborhood schools, and their work continues to lessen needs gaps. Some schools, whether because of their access to resources or their ability to attract partners, are able to build extensive partnership networks that support their missions. However, if greater resource equity is to be achieved across the district, strategic coordination of resource- bringers at the system level is a necessary step.