Resources+-+Case+Studies+-+Maine+Network+Partners—Nonprofit+Sector+Viability+Program

//Overview//
“The Maine Nonprofit Viability Program (Viability Program) was designed to assist organizations to navigate the current economic climate by providing a structured and supportive environment to think about the ongoing viability of their mission, programs, and finances. The Program is a project of the Nonprofit Sector Viability Collaboration (Collaboration). The Collaboration is composed of ten funders, capacity-building organizations and consultants who have come together to find more efficient and effective ways to strengthen the viability ofthe nonprofit sector in Maine" (“An Evaluation of the Maine Viability Program,” Claire Reinelt, Dec 2010).

“All members bring essential skills to the table: Maine Association of Nonprofits (MANP), Common Good Ventures (CGV), and Institute for Civic Leadership (ICL) bring their expertise in developing and delivering effective educational programs and working with consultants; the Maine Community Foundation (MaineCF), as fiscal sponsor, brings the respect of the community and other funding organizations. Maine Health Access Foundation (MEHAF) and the United Ways of Greater Portland, York County and Eastern Maine, bring their knowledge of what is happening in Maine; and Maine Network Partners (MNP) lends its expertise on fundraising and developing a successful network" ( Maine Network Partners Website).

“The Collaboration launched the Viability Program in 2009. The Program has been offered seven times in 2009 and 2010 to 61 nonprofit organizations.”

//What they’re doing://

 * //Taking a network approach to program design and delivery//. Although their initial objective was about nonprofit sustainability (vs. network strategies), the Collaboration took a network design approach to their work. This has meant running a participatory design process that actively engaged all Collaboration partners, funders and nonprofits alike. In addition to the program design, they tapped their respective networks to spread the word to nonprofits and promote the idea to other funders. For Maine Network Partners, the primary qualities of a network approach include: shared responsibility, trust, and enthusiasm from all who “want to be at the table."
 * //Weaving the network while doing the work//. Carole Martin, a facilitator and network weaver, has been working with the Collaboration and the broader network to build trust and strengthen connectivity. She has been the only paid staff working on process.

//Results://

 * The NSVC was able to get the program up and running in only five months.
 * 19 funders have since contributed more than $160,000 to support the design and implementation of the Viability Program.
 * Program participants generally reported making financial, program, and fund development decisions more strategically.
 * As the initiative progressed, both the Collaboration and Viability Program participants realized that there is opportunity to promote collaborative strategies among Maine nonprofits, as a means of strengthening their individual and collective sustainability. They’re currently exploring this approach.

//Lessons Learned__[6]__//

 * //Invest in facilitation and coordination//. The ongoing engagement of a skilled facilitator/ network weaver/coordinator has been critical to the Collaboration’s design process and ongoing work together.
 * //Develop guiding principles//. The Collaboration also found it useful to develop a set of guiding principles to help them to address challenges and conflicts that come up along the way. [7]
 * //Broaden the network//. Although challenging to manage, the early involvement of several funders and organizations helped when recruiting other funders to invest in the initiative.
 * //Evaluation can be a path toward network alignment//. It has been difficult for the Collaboration and program participants to agree on the desired impact or on a common set of metrics to measure that impact. In 2010, the NSVC commissioned an evaluation which is helping them developed a shared vision for impact. In the coming months, the Collaboration would like to develop a vision beyond the Viability Program and to outline its role in advocating for and supporting a long-term viability strategy for the nonprofit sector.

//Questions Addressed://

 * //How to cultivate network weavers?//
 * //What network management tools /infrastructure are needed?//
 * //How do networks evolve?//

Sources:

 * Maine Network Partners Website
 * Conversation with Warren Cook, March 2011
 * “An Evaluation of the Maine Viability Program,” Claire Reinelt, Learning Community Center, Dec 2010
 * Nonprofit Sector Viability Program Update, Feb 2009