Resources+-+Case+Studies

**Published Network-Centric Case Studies**

 * "Networking a City": An exploration of the Barr Fellowship and the suprising return on an investment in relationships among social change leaders in Boston - even without set expectations or requirements about what might emerge as a result. (Marianne Hughes and Didi Goldenhar, Stanford Social Innovation Review, Summer, 2012)
 * Breaking New Ground: Using the Internet to Scale - a case study of Kaboom: A nonprofit organization that focuses on building playgrounds in low-income communities uses the internet to scale its impact. (Heather McCleod and Katherine Fulton, 2010)
 * Transformer: How to build a network to change a system - a case study of the RE-AMP energy network: A network of 125 nonprofits and foundations focused on reducing global warming emissions in the US's upper Midwest. (Heather McCleod Grant, 2010)
 * [|America’s Giving Challenge: Assessment and Reflection Report] A detailed case-study analysis of the first national competition for fundraising through social media, held by the Case Foundation in late 2008. (Beth Kanter and Allison Fine, 2009)
 * Boston Green and Healthy Buildings Network: A case study describing a Barr Foundation sponsored endeavor to weave a network among 10 Boston nonprofits, highlighting the challenges and lessons learned. (Beth Tener, Al Nierenberg, and Bruce Hoppe, 2008)
 * Analysis of a Nitrogen Wiki: The David and Lucile Packard Foundation’s Experiment with Online Collaboration : A detailed description of the challenges and lessons from the Packard Foundation’s experiment with using an online forum to develop a philanthropic strategy for reducing nitrogen pollution. (Spitfire Strategies, 2007) [LINK TBD]
 * A Different Kind of Network - Making Connections Louisville : An overview of a pilot program called "The Affordable Credit and Savings Plan" co-led by community leaders who are part of the Louisville branch of the //Making Connections Network//, the Republic Bank & Trust Company and the Louisville Urban league. (Laurda Crawford, 2007-2009)
 * Building the Field of Dreams: An overview of two network weaving initiatives (Afterschool Sports and Afterschool Art & Culture) supported by the Barr Foundation, and what they learned. (Stephanie Lowell, 2006)
 * Habitat for Humanity [TBD]
 * Guide Dogs for the Blind [TBD]

**"Living" Network-Centric Case Studies**
The core of the Network of Network Funders’ work is our shared practice: Network-centric grantmaking. Through our ongoing conversations we’ve shared stories of our respective experiences supporting networks and working with a network mindset, and surfaced insights based on these experiences. This section takes a first pass at aggregating //some// of our stories of network-centric grantmaking in action, as well as stories from funders outside the NNF. We have included 9 cases about networks and philanthropy; if you're involved in one of these cases and have any updates, please feel free to add them to the "UPDATES" section at the end of the Case Study page!
 * Barr Foundation—Supporting Afterschool Sports Programs: Channeling resources toward building and supporting networks as a way to strengthen programs and positive outcomes for kids in a more cost-effective way
 * RWJF—PreventObesity.net: Creating a strategy and online infrastructure to grow and connect a national network of activists working on obesity prevention
 * The Lumpkin Family Foundation—goodWorksConnect.org: Helping the Illinois nonprofit community connect with colleagues, share information, and learn from each other.
 * The Hawaii Community Foundation—Schools of the Future: Connecting a “Community of Learners” through which educators can make progress on their individual problems by drawing on their collective experiences
 * Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation—The Role of “Network Officers” : Developing a comprehensive approach to strengthen networks that includes new grantmaking guidelines, redefining the approach to working with grantees, and reframing the roles and responsibilities of program officers
 * Maine Network Partners —Franklin Community College Network : Established a community college-like presence in Franklin County through a strategic alliance of community leaders
 * Maine Network Partners — Nonprofit Sector Viability Program : Developed a peer-based learning program that assists nonprofit organizations in navigating the current economic climate and thinking about the ongoing viability of their mission, programs, and finances
 * Network of Network Funders: [TBD]
 * Barr Foundation — World Cup Boston: Hiring an organization as a network weaver to change perceptions of South Africa within Boston, by engaging a range of city agencies, nonprofit organizations, and the local community in activities that made them feel more connected to each other, to the City of Boston, and to South Africa
 * The David and Lucile Packard Foundation—OE Program Goldmine Project: Taking a network approach to research and program evaluation
 * Wikimedia Foundation—Strategic Planning: Developing strategy for a movement in an open, collaborative way

Additional Cases
We know there is a long list of other cases to explore... If you're a Wiki member, please feel free to add a case to the list (click here to join the Wiki):

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