BARR+FOUNDATION+After+School+Network+Weaving


 * BARR FOUNDATION: After School Network Weaving**

The Barr Foundation has taken an explicit network-focused approach in its efforts to improve the availability and quality of after-school programming for youth in Boston.

Concerned that past efforts by foundations to stimulate collaboration among grantees rarely succeeded beyond the duration of a funder’s support, Barr wanted to build lasting connections between youth service providers that would allow them to coordinate effort and drive long-term impact.

To do this, Barr funded the placement of “network weavers” in the community who focused on facilitating relationship building and knowledge sharing among service providers and community leaders and on identifying and promoting opportunities for partnership and collaboration.

The work has helped to dramatically strengthen the connectivity of the network, has led to the launch a comprehensive directory of youth service providers, has enabled access to resources, and has facilitated the spread of new ideas and best practices across the community.