Project+Background

**//What is the Network of Network Funders?//**
The Network of Network Funders was created as a learning space for grantmakers committed to supporting and working through networks.

In the spring of 2009, Hawai'i Community Foundation and Monitor Institute launched the Network of Network Funders with support of the Kellogg Foundation, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and the Packard Foundation. We formed the NNF by connecting a small group of grantmakers each with significant experience working in and through networks—catalyzing new networks, strengthening the fabric of existing networks, and tapping into the expertise of external networks. During the following year, the NNF worked to aggregate best practices for working with networks, identify gaps in our knowledge, build that knowledge and related skill set, and act on our growing knowledge of networks.
 * Phase I**

The majority of the NNF’s work in Phase I was organized around in-person convenings. The community of practice’s first gathering in June 2009 focused on connecting the community and exploring the funder’s role in networks. The second gathering in October 2009 focused on networks and impact – strategies for network impact, approaches to evaluating networks, and tools for accelerating and assessing network impact. The third convening, which took place in March 2010, explored the practice of supporting and working through networks. In addition to the face-to-face work, the group used an online [|space on WiserEarth] to share resources and coordinate.

The success of this first phase and the growing interest among grantmakers in networks has inspired a second engagement, which kicked off in the fall of 2010 and will continue through 2011. This second phase of work will connect a core group of participants a broader network of interested grantmakers to:
 * Phase II**
 * Continue learning and dialoguing around areas of interest and importance to community of practice members
 * Experiment with network approaches by core NNF members to enable institutional learning and adaptation
 * Generate new and actionable knowledge that addresses gaps in our understanding of network approaches to philanthropy
 * Weave a broader network of funders and others who are supporting and working through networks
 * Capture, codify, and spread knowledge of what works

The Network of Network Funders is connecting, pooling, and deepening learning about networked approaches to grantmaking so funders can be increasingly intentional and effective in catalyzing and strengthening formal and informal networks. The community of practice does not believe that networks and working with a network mindset are a panacea; rather, we believe there are opportunities for funders to get smarter about when and how to engage networks in order to achieve the social impact they care about.

A synthesis of what the Network of Network Funders learned during its first year of working together is shared in the form of a draft Funder’s Guide to Networks. During Phase II of our work, we intend to expand and improve the ideas captured here.