There is growing recognition that the traditional research paradigm fails to address the needs of school practitioners. As such, more collaborative and participatory approaches are being encouraged. Yet few articles examine the structures, processes, and dynamics of research-practice partnerships. To address this gap, this essay analyzes a research alliance between a university and a full-service community school district focused on family engagement. It identifies strategies that facilitate working relations between university researchers, school practitioners, and community stakeholders; describes the complexities in mobilizing research for action; and demonstrates how linking data can bridge institutional silos and strengthen relations among youth-serving organizations. Through an in-depth, single case examination, this article seeks to demonstrate the potential of research-practice partnerships as a community development strategy whereby individuals who share common aims can generate useful knowledge and bring about positive change in the lives of young people.