4-18+Draft+Funders+Guide+to+Networks

**Preliminary Outline, April 18, 2011**
New Ask: We'd love your thoughts / reactions on the draft of the guide, specifically:  You can. No 3. New set

The "Ask"

 * //We'd love your thoughts / reflections on the preliminary outline of the guide, specifically://**
 * 1) How can overall the framing be improved?
 * 2) What’s missing?
 * 3) What needs to be highlighted / prioritized?
 * 4) Reactions to the cases? What other cases ought to be included? Most of the cases are funder initiated. What criteria would you use for networks / network-centric projects that aren’t funder initiated?

//**Here are a number of options for sharing your feedback:**//
 * 1) Join our NNF call next week: Monday, April 25 at 11AM PT. Dial-in: 1-213-289-5450x7697887
 * 2) Directly on the wiki, by following the links on this page to their respective outline pages. Please do so in a different color, and make sure to include you name! (Jessica)
 * 3) In the "Discussion" tab of the wiki.There are " discussions" started for the 4 questions above
 * 4) Email / call Diana or Jessica directly! Our contact information is as follows: Diana (diana_scearce@monitor.com, 415-932-5372) or Jessica (jessica_gheiler@monitor.com, 415-932-5431)

//**Here's a PDF version of the entire Funder's Guide Preliminary Outline:**//


 * TABLE OF CONTENTS**


 * Preface **
 * Who’s the Guide for?
 * What’s in It? How to Use It?
 * Origins of this work

**__Introduction__**
 * Why do networks matter for grantmakers?
 * What’s network-centric grantmaking?


 * Part 1: Networks 101 **
 * What are networks?
 * What are networks good for?
 * What’s the secret sauce?
 * How do networks grow and change over time?
 * Sidebar: Additional Resources


 * Part 2: Work with a Network Mindset **
 * What does it mean to work with a network mindset?
 * What are the challenges?
 * How to create environments that encourage working with a network mindset?
 * To get started….
 * Sidebar: Additional Resources


 * Part 3: Support and Catalyze Networks **
 * When to catalyze and invest in networks? When doesn’t it make sense?
 * How can foundations support networks?
 * What roles can foundations play in networks?
 * How should a foundation’s networks work be staffed? What skills and characteristics are needed for this work?
 * Risks and exit strategies
 * Sidebar: Additional Resources


 * Part 4: Contribute to Learning**
 * Experiment and Learn Openly
 * Take a network lens to your evaluation of networks
 * Why is assessing network impact difficult?
 * Getting started
 * What needs to be assessed?
 * What principles should inform network impact assessment?
 * What skills are needed to effectively contribute to learning and assess network impact?
 * Sidebar: Additional Resources


 * Part 5: Tools to Help Grantmakers Work with Networks**
 * What constitutes a healthy network?
 * Overview of social network mapping and analysis (SNA), how funders can use it, and what’s required
 * How does complexity theory and systems dynamics relate to network theory?
 * How to hold network space?
 * Tips for effective facilitation -- online and in-person
 * Open Space
 * Network governance. Decision-making in a network context
 * Considerations for working in a global context (what different between place-based networks and GANS?)

//We’ll include a set of stories organized against a typology that tracks with the outline. Many of these will be mentioned in other parts of the Guide with reference to the full story included in this section.//
 * Part 6: Networks in Action: Stories of foundations working with a network mindset and supporting networks**
 * Annie E Casey Making Connections
 * Barr Foundation After School Sports Network
 * Community Foundation for Monterey County Social Network Support Project
 * David and Lucile Packard Foundation OE Wiki
 * Garfield Foundation RE-AMP Network
 * Hawaii Community Foundation Schools of the Future
 * Lawrence Community Works
 * Lumpkin Foundation goodWORKSconnect.org
 * Maine Network Partners Franklin County Community College Network
 * Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation Network Officer Position
 * Reboot Network
 * Robert Wood Johnson Foundation PreventObseity.net and Web 2.0 Philanthropy Initiative
 * TechSoup Global
 * Wikimedia Foundation Wikimedia Strategy Project
 * WiserEarth


 * __Part 7: Resources__**
 * Glossary of terms
 * Credits and thanks
 * Endnotes

Click here to go to a version 1.0 of the Funders Guide to Networks from spring 2010