Beyond Grants and Burnout: How to Resource and Fund Impact Networks

Sustaining collaboration often feels like a grind.

Many networks begin big visions for change.

But somewhere along the way:

• Resources become scarce.

• Members get burned out.

• Collaboration starts to fade.

Have you ever felt the weight of sustaining impact networks without proper support?

If you are reading this, you likely did.

But what if it could be different?

What if it wasn’t about fighting for limited funds but about nourishing shared, abundant flows of resources?

Imagine a stable, adaptive, and well-supported impact network.

A community where financial contributions are balanced with in-kind resources, social capital, and collective efforts.

Imagine moving beyond survival mode toward a way of working that fuels creativity, strengthens relationships, and enables lasting impact.

If you resonate with this vision, keep reading.

Because in this article, you’ll explore:

• Values and mindset that shape how resources flow in networks.

• Seven resource resourcing models to experiment with.

• A three-phase process to build a sustainable resourcing strategies.

The article is based on the new interactive guide on the topic, which was co-created by 30 practitioners, funded by INTRAC and convened by the Fito Network.

As you read on, reflect on your own network’s needs.

Ask yourself:

How can we create resource flows that reflect our values and strengthen our collective resilience?

The answers won’t come all at once.

But through

• Inquiry

• Co-creation

• Experimentation

...your network can shift to a resource-rich ecosystem that allows everyone to thrive.

Once your network has clarified its values, the next step is to explore practical ways to align resources with those principles.

7 Creative Resource Models: Building Resilient Networks from the Inside Out

Resource models are frameworks that help networks generate, manage, and sustain the resources they need to thrive.

These models go beyond traditional funding approaches.

They offer creative ways to leverage financial, social, and in-kind resources.

No single model fits every network.

Instead, networks often experiment with a mix of models, combining their strengths to create a hybrid approach that reflects their unique needs and values.

In the following sections, you’ll explore seven resource model archetypes.

For each, you’ll learn:

• What it is and how it works

• When might it be a good fit for your network

• What benefits and challenges to consider.

These models are not prescriptions.

They’re starting points for experimentation.

As you read, think about how each model could integrate with your network’s existing practices, and consider what new possibilities might emerge.

1. The Pollinator - External Funding

External funding sources like grants, or philanthropic contributions.

The Pollinator is ideal for networks pursuing specific, high-impact projects that align with funder priorities or require significant upfront investment.

Grants can fund ambitious initiatives and bring credibility to the network, helping attract new collaborators. These funds often enable networks to scale their efforts or launch high-impact initiatives that might otherwise be out of reach.

However, dependency on external funding can create instability, and funder priorities may not always align with the network’s long-term goals.

2. The Hive - Member Contributions

Members contribute resources, such as time or expertise.

The Hive is an excellent fit for networks with high trust and a strong shared purpose, where members are willing to contribute regularly and take collective responsibility.

This model fosters a deep sense of ownership and accountability, strengthening trust and resilience.

Decisions about resource use are made collaboratively, ensuring alignment with shared goals.

However, it requires clear agreements and high levels of collaboration and is less suitable to attract financial resources.

3. The Garden - Membership Fees

Members contribute recurring fees to sustain operations.

The Garden works well for networks offering members clear, ongoing value, such as educational resources or collaborative platforms.

Members often gain access to tools, services, or learning opportunities in return.

This archetype provides steady income and encourages a sense of belonging.

However, it may unintentionally exclude those unable to afford membership fees unless paired with flexible options like sliding scales.

4. The Marketplace - Revenue Sharing

Members generate income and share a percentage.

The Marketplace works best for networks with members who frequently collaborate on projects and the network supports them to access paid opportunities

This model creates a sustainable income stream tied directly to the network’s activities, fostering a sense of shared success.

A portion of the members revenue is pooled back into the network to sustain its operations.

However, it requires transparent tracking systems and clear agreements to avoid conflicts or misunderstandings.

5. The Bridge - Partnerships

Creates partnerships to share resources like infrastructure, or expertise.

The Bridge is ideal for networks offering unique value to partners (e.g., data, research, or community access) and looking for ways to secure support beyond traditional grants.

Partnerships can provide significant resources and expertise while creating opportunities for cross-sector collaboration.

However, they require careful alignment to ensure equity in outcomes and avoid power imbalances.

6. The Catalyst – Shared Services

Collective service offerings to generate resources.

The Catalyst is ideal for networks that offer specialized services—such as facilitation, advisory work, peer-learning programs, or capacity-building initiatives.

This model enables networks to offer high-quality, co-created services with dedicated infrastructure, shared systems, and a collaborative approach to delivery.

However, scalability and operational sustainability require coordination—ensuring that governance, pricing, and ownership structures remain equitable.

7. The Spiral - Circular Economy

Resources are reused, shared, or repurposed.

The Spiral is an excellent fit for networks focused on sustainability, resource efficiency, or mutual aid, especially when financial resources are limited.

This archetype emphasizes efficiency and strengthens relationships by encouraging members to share and support one another.

However, it can require upfront coordination and a cultural shift toward collaborative resource use.

From Models to Action: Creating your Networks Hybrid Strategy

You’ve just explored seven resource models.

But, no single model can meet all needs.

The next step is to consider how they might work together.

Strategically combining models can create a resilient and adaptive approach.

Networks that succeed in sustaining their efforts often approach resource models as living systems—testing, adapting, and iterating over time.

The following section will explore a three-phase strategy to co-create your network's hybrid resourcing model.

A Three-Phase Strategic Process for Resourcing Networks

A quick note:

The whole process is relational and iterative.

It requires facilitation, co-creation, and trust-building.

Building engagement and shared ownership across your network is therefore vital.

Phase 1: Explore Resource Models

It begins with collective reflection.

This phase involves engaging your network in ongoing conversations to clarify resource needs, align strategies with shared values, and identify models worth experimenting with.

Action Steps:

• Facilitate a Collaborative Inquiry: Host a session (in-person or virtual) where network members reflect on resource needs.

• Co-Create a Resource Needs Map: Visualize your network’s resource flows and gaps using tools like Miro, whiteboards, or collaborative documents.

• Introduce Resource Models: Facilitate a discussion about the models. Ask network members to explore which models resonate most with their goals and experiences.

Phase 2: Mix Resource Models

Now, your network has explored various resource models.

The next step is to experiment with combining these models into a hybrid strategy that is both resilient and adaptive.

In this phase, you’ll identify complementary models and co-create a strategy that weaves them together.

Action Steps:

• Identify Complementary Models: Review the models tested in Phase 1 and discuss how they can be integrated. Consider how a mix of models can leverage each other’s strengths to address resource gaps and enhance network stability.

• Design Your Hybrid Strategy: Collaboratively develop an, integrated strategy that blends the most effective resource models. Ensure that the strategy remains aligned with your network’s core values and long-term goals.

• Iterate and Refine: Facilitate iterative feedback sessions to validate and refine the hybrid strategy, ensuring that it evolves in response to your network’s practical needs and emerging opportunities.

Phase 3: Implement & Adapt Over Time

With a hybrid resource strategy in place, the next step is to test and refine it through real-world application.

By launching small-scale experiments and tracking results, your network can learn what works, adjust as needed, and strengthen resource flows over time.

This phase is about operationalizing the strategy while staying responsive to emerging needs and opportunities.

Action Steps:

• Run Small-Scale Pilots: Test selected models in manageable ways, such as introducing membership fees, launching a sponsorship program, or facilitating paid services.

• Track Insights & Adjust: Use shared systems (e.g., dashboards or documents) to monitor what’s working, capture lessons, and make iterative improvements.

• Facilitate Ongoing Reflection: Schedule regular check-ins to assess progress, refine the strategy, and explore new possibilities as the network evolves.

The Benefits of this Approach

✅ Aligns resources with network values

✅ Strengthens trust & ownership

✅ Encourages experimentation

✅ Increases collective resilience

✅ Enhances long-term impact

Building Resource Strategies that Evolve with your Impact Network

Let’s return to that question:

What would change if we moved from scarcity to abundance?

Imagine what your network could achieve with more sustainable resources—financial support, time, tools, spaces, and relationships that nourish your collective efforts.

Imagine that every member feels valued and resources flow freely and equitably, fueling creativity and impact.

It’s not a simple fix.

Sustaining a network takes ongoing care and reflection.

It requires a shift from seeing resources as static or scarce to viewing them as living systems that grow and evolve with your network’s needs.

Experimenting with hybrid resource models can unlock new possibilities for your network. You’ll find ways to balance stability and flexibility, ensuring your efforts remain resilient and adaptive.

But this process isn’t something you do alone.

It’s a collective inquiry.

The practice of weaving resource models is an act of care and reciprocity.

It’s about creating conditions where everyone has what they need to contribute and the network can thrive together.

As you leave this article, hold onto the threads of possibility and inquiry.

• What small shifts can your network make this month to experiment with resource flows?

• What could emerge if you permitted yourself to imagine a different way of resourcing collaborative work?

The answers won’t be immediate.

But with curiosity, trust, and a commitment to co-creation, your network can move from scarcity to abundance—and beyond.

Let’s keep weaving—together.

📩 Let me know if you want to explore this further in your work — I’d love to connect.

In solidarity,

Adrian

More to Explore This Week

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This weekly newsletter is dedicated to exploring practices, mindsets, and strategies that make networks effective in driving systemic change. Each issue offers practical tools, real-world lessons, and curated opportunities to help you build impactful, collaborative networks & communities.

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