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