Resources

Mapping Your Networks to Mine Valuable Resources

AFTER EXPLORING all possible options for reducing expenses and increasing revenues, many nonprofits are stymied—how can they survive this downturn? Every nonprofit has another valuable resource that they can tap—social capital. Positive, productive relationships represent social capital, which is just as important (well, almost as important) as money in the bank. Social capital has been described as the resources available to people based on the networks their relationships give them access to. This article suggests ways to measure relationships in terms of strong ties and weak ties, discover the benefits and limitations of these ties, and analyze networks in terms of the strength of their ties.

But, before you can develop strategies for mining your social capital, you need a clear picture of your organization’s connections and networks. A good first step is to create a “social capital map.” This issue article by Becky Andres, Marketing Manager of Fieldstone Alliance, gives you a process for doing that.

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