Cultural organizations increasingly count on partnerships to bolster their participation-building efforts. But is this always the right approach? This article by an Urban Institute expert warns both organizations and their nonprofit backers to think hard about whether these close cooperative relationships are appropriate for each group and situation. Done right, partnerships can increase capacity and draw new audiences; done poorly, they can fail to meet goals, pose a financial burden and raise logistical problems. This report outlines valid reasons to choose partnerships and offers lessons that will lead to high-quality, long-lasting collaborations.