The West Virginia Community Partnership Model (WVCPM) fosters partnerships among academic faculty, students, extension faculty (and staff), and community organizations to produce significant community-based student learning; increased university involvement in community service across the state; and cultural change that improves collaboration between the academic and extension faculties for the mutual benefit of all parties. This article describes benefits and lessons learned through the early stage operation of the model. It analyzes these benefits and lessons learned in terms of three apparent characteristics of effective partnerships: (1) goal alignment among partners; (2) adequate time to establish partnerships; and (3) willingness to "give something up" (e.g., adopt only promising ideas) when necessary.