Abstract: RTI International partnered with the Living Cities Foundation to study how cross-sector collaboratives in three cities implemented Collective Impact initiatives. Each city engaged public and private sector leaders, community organizations, and local foundations to increase the economic security of its residents through systems-level change. RTI found that each collaborative was confident in their cohesive strategy, yet many participants were uncertain about their capacity to implement large-scale, long-term changes. The level of community participation within each initiative drove this tension. Community input was viewed as essential, however each collaborative struggled with how to meaningfully engage residents in the planning process. Their divergent views underscore the complicated nature of not only bringing together diverse stakeholders, but also pushing toward a transformation in the local status quo. This evaluation pushes past theoretical obstacles and highlights the on-the-ground barriers to community engagement and building shared trust.