A number of agency staff, literacy organizations, and community partners alike complained that expectations are often that their time and commitment to developing new partnerships and planning programs will be voluntary or simply added to their other duties.

The allocation of funds within a partnership can also present problems. Particularly in cases where the funding is less than the amount requested, partners may feel that their share of the grant is unfair or inadequate (Seamen et al 1992).

Membership in a coalition… risks the conclusion by some members of the community or by funding agencies that more than one organization or agency may have a legitimate claim to financial or other support for literacy education.
Irwin 1994: 3

Communication problems
In a partnership, as in any other kind of relationship, people have to communicate frequently, clearly, and regularly. Problems can arise when the goals of the proposed program aren't clearly communicated, or when individual or agency expectations or needs are misunderstood. Not keeping community partners informed of progress or changes during the project can also be a barrier to a successful partnership.

Communication problems do not just occur between agencies, however. There can be problems within agencies as well, when the level of involvement in the partnership and the agency's role is not clearly communicated between staff, or to new employees. One family literacy program in Alberta experienced difficulties when a new staff member was not adequately informed of what his agency's role was in working with the family literacy program. When developing the curriculum for his program, he did not realize that the family literacy program was supposed to be included as one component.