Grounded theory is a qualitative research method that uses inductive analysis to develop theories from data. Sensitizing concepts are essential in guiding this process. This article explores the relationship between sensitizing concepts and grounded theory, using a study on community-based antipoverty projects in Jamaica as an example. The study generated a theory of development-focused stakeholder collaboration. The article discusses trustworthiness techniques, coding, and constant comparative analysis, and summarizes the study findings. Sensitizing concepts are interpretive tools that help researchers focus on important aspects of social interaction. They provide a framework for qualitative research and are not necessarily tested or refined. In the study, three sensitizing concepts—community/citizen participation, social capital, and empowerment—were used to analyze data. These concepts were derived from literature on social funds, poverty reduction, and community development. Community participation was essential in all phases of JSIF-funded projects. Social capital involved norms, networks, and relationships, and was linked to poverty alleviation. Empowerment was seen as a process of self-improvement and community-driven development. However, the study found that while these concepts were important, they were not always central to the emergent theory. The study used a constructivist-interpretive paradigm and the constant comparative method to analyze data. Themes emerged from the data, and the analysis revealed that JSIF-funded projects involved a four-stage process of development-focused collaboration. The study concluded that stakeholder involvement was a key element of this collaboration, and that greater collaboration led to greater productivity and favorable conditions for community-driven development. The article emphasizes the importance of sensitizing concepts in guiding qualitative research and highlights the role of grounded theory in understanding social phenomena. It also discusses the challenges of defining and applying these concepts in practice. Overall, the study demonstrates the value of grounded theory in generating theories from data and the importance of sensitizing concepts in this process.Grounded theory is a qualitative research method that uses inductive analysis to develop theories from data. Sensitizing concepts are essential in guiding this process. This article explores the relationship between sensitizing concepts and grounded theory, using a study on community-based antipoverty projects in Jamaica as an example. The study generated a theory of development-focused stakeholder collaboration. The article discusses trustworthiness techniques, coding, and constant comparative analysis, and summarizes the study findings. Sensitizing concepts are interpretive tools that help researchers focus on important aspects of social interaction. They provide a framework for qualitative research and are not necessarily tested or refined. In the study, three sensitizing concepts—community/citizen participation, social capital, and empowerment—were used to analyze data. These concepts were derived from literature on social funds, poverty reduction, and community development. Community participation was essential in all phases of JSIF-funded projects. Social capital involved norms, networks, and relationships, and was linked to poverty alleviation. Empowerment was seen as a process of self-improvement and community-driven development. However, the study found that while these concepts were important, they were not always central to the emergent theory. The study used a constructivist-interpretive paradigm and the constant comparative method to analyze data. Themes emerged from the data, and the analysis revealed that JSIF-funded projects involved a four-stage process of development-focused collaboration. The study concluded that stakeholder involvement was a key element of this collaboration, and that greater collaboration led to greater productivity and favorable conditions for community-driven development. The article emphasizes the importance of sensitizing concepts in guiding qualitative research and highlights the role of grounded theory in understanding social phenomena. It also discusses the challenges of defining and applying these concepts in practice. Overall, the study demonstrates the value of grounded theory in generating theories from data and the importance of sensitizing concepts in this process.