Weaving an Impactful Network

Abstract

Keywords: Funder theory of change, funder/grantee network weavers, funder and grantee backbone organizations, cross-issue impactIn 2011, the world watched as tens of thousands of Wisconsinites descended upon the state Capitol to protest devastating legislation that stripped values enshrined a century ago in the state's legislative code. In contrast, outside of public view and with support from a state-based donor, dozens of nonprofits had spent five years experimenting with strategies to increase their collective impact. In this single catalytic event of 2011, their growing alignment focused the capacity of organizations and coalitions within a network toward a collective agenda to protect the state's social compact. This network of coalitions, now established as Wisconsin Voices, is working to revive and excite year-round civic participation in support of Wisconsin's values.ContextIn 2005, the Wisconsin-based Brico Fund initiated a new funding strategy and decided that funding alone was not enough to strengthen the impact of its grantmaking. Believing that single organizations - while often providing quality programs and services - were not creating the systemic change they sought, Brico began experimenting with a more integrated funding strategy: funding capacity building and leveraging power and relationships. Twice-annual funding cycles no longer drove timing of gifts. Program-issue silos no longer drove grantmaking priorities. However, various issue priorities became frames for integration of funding for community organizing, advocacy, policy, messaging, and capacity building, including leadership development. Brico moved from a foundation legal structure to a limited liability corporation in order to act more quickly and with less formal process, including the elimination of formal dockets and board meetings. And it sought out atypical organizations, understanding that community change happens in many places.From a systems-change perspective, the Brico Fund is interested in policy change. After listening closely to their grantees, they learned that policy-change efforts were thwarted by little to no messaging/communications capacity, and by few or uncoordinated civic engagement efforts with people most impacted. In effect, organizations were not equipped to initiate policy changes or defend current practice, partly because issuebased funders often didn't fund in the areas of civic engagement and communications. Instead, Brico learned, organizations did the best they could, driven in part by a funding system that did not recognize organizational capacities necessary for policy change. With the realization that organizations needed to possess those capacities to be successful change agents, or partner with organizations that did, Brico created a new funding strategy to facilitate and reward alignment and integration. For many, the strategy supported and incited organizations to experiment with new ways to create change.This case study begins by framing the evolution of the network design and defining the Brico theory of change. It also describes the companion development of systems, structures, tools, and processes in the participating nonprofit community. This catalyzed the creation of Wisconsin Voices, a nonprofit network including many Brico grantees, revealing a unique funder/organization symbiosis that allows both entities to achieve their individual and mutual goals. The evolution of Brico's funding strategy and leadership role in the community is juxtaposed with the visioning and creation of Wisconsin Voices.In 2002, Brico analyzed its funding impact from the prior 10 years and was disappointed in the lack of sustainable change beyond good outcomes for individuals participating in programs. Soon after, Brico examined its funding strategy and sought input of many others - intentionally building relationships with grantees and funding partners in the process. As trust between them developed over time, a vision began to emerge of creating tangible impact beyond individual programmatic outcomes. …