This article reports on a three year case study and interview project of a federal initiative to help low income students access college called individual development accounts (IDA). The study focused on partnership development between community agencies that offer IDAs and postsecondary institutions, examining challenges and facilitators. A set of challenges are identified as well as strategies for overcoming the obstacles. The results also suggest underlying reasons for challenges: (a) postsecondary institutions being hesitant to partner with community agencies that they perceive as having limited assets and prestige (essentially disempowered) and (b) community agencies lacking familiarity with the higher education environment. (Contains 3 notes.)