This paper is based upon material from the manuals and training program underpinning the 'Sustaining community-based initiative' from the Healthcare Forum with the W. K. Kellogg Foundation in the USA. In order to address the problems of American urban communities a new approach is proposed using the concept of 'collaborative empowerment'. This is a planning and organizational method that lets communityand neighbourhood-based organizations design, implement and assess problem-solving strategies that increase their effectiveness at dealing with community issues. The use of organizational management principles and practices in community involvement and strengthening community leadership is illustrated through practical examples. KEY WORDS collaborative empowerment; community leaders; USA *The Healthcare Forum is a community of individual and organizational leaders in 50 states and countries around the world who believe healthcare can be transformed . . . who embrace change and innovation and act on convictions . . . who believe healthcare leaders must reach beyond the walls of our organizations to advance new ideas, new incentives, new outcomes based on health and quality of life of OUT communities.