What+is+the+Network+of+Network+Funders?

The Network of Network Funders was created as a space for grantmakers committed to supporting and working through networks to pool their learning and increase the impact of their respective grantmaking practices.
 * //What is the Network of Network Funders?//**

In the spring of 2009, Hawaii 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 of whom have significant experience working in and through networks—catalyzing new networks, strengthening the fabric of existing networks, and tapping into the expertise of external networks. This groups came together for three in-person convenings in 2009 and 2010, exploring topics like the funder's role in networks, approaches to evaluating networks, and tools for accelerating network impact. The NNF's first phase of work came to close in the spring of 2010. Insights from our work together are captured in the draft Funders' Guide to Networks.

The second phase of the Network of Network Funders was launched in the fall of 2010. A number of new participants joined the core group and

Throughout the NNF has been working 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. The NNF is also committed to actively sharing and promoting what we are learning about effective network approaches to the broader field of philanthropy.

We are 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.

The remainder of this wiki / document synthesizes what the Network of Network Funders learned during its first year of working together. Our learning is shared in the form of a draft Funder’s Guide to Networks.