This article examines the processes of community mobilization for health promotion. First, five community-based health promotion interventions designed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) are reviewed, with particular attention paid to the processes of community mobilization in these programs. Second, several guidelines for community mobilization for effective health promotion are distilled from the experiences of these programs. The guidelines that are outlined provide a working model for future community-based health promotion interventions. Finally, the limitations of CVD prevention programs are briefly discussed.