NNF Peer Assist – Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Chris van Bergeijk & Kina Mahi, Network FunderHawaii Community Foundation
Bob Agres, Network WeaverHawaii Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development & the Ho‘owaiwai Network
Balancing Emerging Network Impact & Desired Funder Outcomes
Today’s Agenda
Introductions – Chris van Bergeijk & Kina Mahi and Bob Agres
Hawaii Community Foundation – Network Funding
Hawaii Alliance for Community Based Economic Development –
Ho‘owaiwai Network
Ho‘owaiwai Successes & Challenges
Peer Assist Questions & Brainstorming
HCF’s History of Network Funding
Networks Youth Matters, 2006 – 2011
Schools of the Future, 2009 – 2014
Ho‘owaiwai Asset Building, 2010 and beyond
Lessons Learned Difficult for a funder to cultivate a network from ground zero
Funder expectations and participant readiness must match up
Investing in network weavers has been a proven strategy
Trade-off between disbursed, shared leadership and efficiency
What is Ho‘owaiwai?
Ho‘owaiwai is: A Hawaiian word meaning “to
enrich,” and whose root “wai”
means “fresh water.”
In old Hawai‘i, water was wealth,
everyone was responsible for its
care, its abundance affected the
livelihood of an entire village.
Today, a network of more than
240 organizations and
individuals dedicated to asset
building in Hawai‘i since 2004.
What is Asset Building?
Asset Building is a process that: encourages people, especially low income individuals and those living in
poverty, to accumulate, develop, and preserve all types of assets –
financial knowledge, access to credit, savings and investment.
allows for the development of human and social assets – personal
determination, knowledge and skill building, and community networks.
Asset building is important, since assets are essential to: financial security in difficult times – dignity of choice and control
economic opportunities for self and family – realization of human potential
leave a legacy for future generations – reduction of the cycle of poverty
Network Context: Why Ho‘owaiwai?
A network to advance the asset building movement in Hawaii
Network Context: Life Cycle of Ho‘owaiwai
Though it hasn’t followed a linear path, Ho‘owaiwai is now in an organization mode moving toward growth.
Network Context: The Ho‘owaiwai Picture
Ho‘owaiwai has been moving down the scale to decentralized network, bringing up questions of future structure/governance models.
Network Context: HCF’s role in Ho‘owaiwai
HCF’s role has been primarily as sponsor& participant.
As Ho‘owaiwai continues, HCF will look to evaluate network impact and tangible outcomes.
Ho‘owaiwai Network Successes
Longevity – since 2004
Geographic Diversity – active participation from all islands, counties
Recent Momentum of regional island/county efforts Hawaii Island Network & Cities for Financial Empowerment
Emerging Kauai Network
Projects & Accomplishments: Making Work Pay - VITA, EITC, tax policies Providing Financial Education - public awareness, schools, workplaces Removing Disincentives & Helping Protect Assets - asset limits, predatory
lending, insurance Helping People Save - IDAs, child savings accounts, retirement, education Help People Start Businesses - microenterprise, community lending, training Help People Become Homeowners - government matches and grants, employee
assistance
Ho‘owaiwai Network Challenges
Engaging participants consistently & continuously
Aligning member needs
Integrating asset building into member organizations
Communicating the difficult “asset building” concept
Addressing ongoing funding challenges
Trying no-cost/low-cost models
Balancing funder desire to achieve tangible results in given time
frame
Peer Assist Questions
1. Given the successes & challenges of Ho‘owaiwai, how might HCF approach understanding impact in a way that fulfills both the network’s needs and foundation’s needs?
2. What are the implications for the role that HCF might play in the network? Specifically:– How to determine time frame/duration of commitment?– When are we an active participant or a bystander?– How do our roles and approaches change over time?
Reactions to Peer Ideas?
Network weaver check-in: Bob’s assessment of thoughts
offered on funder roles for Ho‘owaiwai
Network funder check-in: Chris’ thoughts on how HCF
might incorporate ideas offered