Collaboration is not new, but there is increasing interest among grantmakers in how to be smarter in collaborative work and in the factors that can facilitate (and undermine) success. Last month Exponent Philanthropy and Grantmakers for Effective Organizations co-hosted a call to examine a particular form of collaboration: networks. While networks can take a variety of forms and have varied levels of formality, we describe them as people, groups and organizations connected by relationships and shared values.

What did we uncover about what makes networks work well?

We turned to Amanda Standerfer of Lumpkin Family Foundation who has played an active role in the creation of Good Works CONNECT, an online community space and resource center for nonprofits across Eastern Illinois to form relationships, share tools and resources, and grow and improve their work. Joining her was Megan McTiernan of Thomson Family Foundation, steering committee member of Asset Funders Network, a community of funders committed to informed grantmaking practices that promote asset building and economic security.

A key theme emerged: While the seemingly simple of act of coming together to share ideas, resources, and practice can produce profound results, it doesn’t always come naturally. Part of what enables networks to take hold is a shift in mindset — a shift in how we see ourselves and our organizations relative to the issues or missions we are working on. Instead of being the hub of the action, successful collaborators see themselves as participants in a shared ecosystem working toward a shared outcome. This shift to a more collaborative mindset also requires greater comfort with shared decision-making and control, and often longer and less-clear timeframe for outcomes that characterize networks and other collaborations. The hope, of course, is that outcomes, once they emerge, are greater than what a single funder could achieve alone.

For more resources on the funder’s role in supporting and engaging in networks, check out:

What roles can grantmakers play in supporting networks?
How can grantmakers facilitate connections and collaboration?
How do we know if our network is effective?

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Get Into a Network Mindset
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Emily Wexler is a program specialist on GEO’s program team where she develops content for publications and other programming. A former community organizer, Emily received her Master of Public Policy from Duke University’s Sanford School where she focused on the use of communities and research to design effective social policy. Follow GEO on Twitter @geofunders.