Building Allies Coalitions: Why Formation Matters Frances D. Butterfoss, PhD, MEd Laurie L. Lachance, PhD, MPH Carlyn E. Orians, MA referred to it as planning (Fawcett, Paine, Francisco, & Vliet, 1993) or mobilizing (Florin, Mitchell, & Stevenson, 1993). For the purposes of this article, formation is the initial building of the coalition as an organization (Clark et al., 2006 [this issue]). Formation usually begins when a lead agency with links to the community brings together key organiza- tions that recruit a group of community partners to ini- tiate a coalition focusing on a health or social issue of concern. Key leaders and staff are identified who develop structures (e.g., committees, rules) and operating procedures (processes) to promote coalition effective- ness. These structures help ensure that the coalition will assess the community, develop an action plan, and select and implement effective strategies. In this article, we describe how Allies coalitions were built and how the process itself may contribute to their effectiveness and longevity. This article describes how formation of the Allies Against Asthma coalitions was influenced by commu- nity context, history, leadership, membership, struc- ture, processes, and other factors. Based on member surveys, key informant interviews, and self-assessment tools, results indicate that three coalitions developed from existing coalitions, and four formed in response to funding. The coalitions took an average of 12 months to form and completed 98% of formation tasks. Fund- ing, technical support, and networking among grantees promoted formation. Although cultures, geographies, lead agencies, and years of experience differed, coali- tions developed similar structures and processes. Two of three new coalitions took the longest to form, high- lighting the need for flexibility and technical assistance when funding new coalitions. Keywords: asthma; coalition; coalition formation; coali- tion development I n the article by Butterfoss et al. (2006 [this issue]) the authors provided a description of how the Allies coalitions variably progressed through stages of development from formation to institutionalization. According to current theory, coalitions develop in stages and recycle through them as new members are recruited, plans are renewed, and/or new issues are added (Butterfoss & Kegler, 2002; McLeroy, Kegler, Steckler, Burdine, & Wisotzky, 1994). The first stage of coalition development is most often referred to as for- mation (Butterfoss, Goodman, & Wandersman, 1993; Butterfoss & Kegler, 2002), although others have Health Promotion Practice Supplement to April 2006 Vol. 7, No. 2, 23S-33S DOI: 10.1177/1524839906287062 ©2006 Society for Public Health Education Editors’ Note: This is one of two articles in this special edition that utilized the same methods to explore related aspects of coali- tion development. This article is part of a special supplement of Health Promotion Practice that describes the development and implementation of the Allies Against Asthma (Allies) initiative. Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation with direction and technical assistance provided by the University of Michigan School of Public Health, Allies provides support to seven community-based coalitions nationwide to develop, implement, and sustain comprehensive asthma management programs. Through Allies, each coalition received grants totaling approxi- mately US$1.5 million to support the coalition, its targeted activ- ities, and evaluation for 1 year of planning and 3 to 4 years of implementation. The supplement describes the first phase of the initiative, during which coalitions designed and implemented a range of activities including improved access to and quality of medical services, education, family and community support, and environmental and policy initiatives. More information about the initiative and tools and materials developed by the coalitions can be found at www.AlliesAgainstAsthma.net. 23S