Connecting to Change the World: Harnessing the Power of Networks for Social Impact

Social entrepreneurs, community-minded leaders, nonprofit organizations, and philanthropists now recognize that to achieve greater impact they must adopt a network-centric approach to solving difficult problems.

Drawn from the authors’ deep experience with more than thirty successful network projects, Connecting to Change the World provides the frameworks, practical advice, case studies, and expert knowledge needed to build better-performing networks. Readers will gain greater confidence and the ability to anticipate challenges and opportunities.

Easily understandable and full of actionable advice, Connecting to Change the World is an informative guide to creating collaborative solutions to tackle the most difficult challenges society faces.

What people are saying

  • "The hard truth is, every organization is facing complex social problems that they can't solve on their own. The good news is, every organization can build networks that will help them create solutions together. Connecting to Change the World is the must-read manual that will teach you how to put this strategy to work if you really want to make a difference."

    — Alan Webber, Co-founder of Fast Company


  • "Whether you’re a social entrepreneur, a nonprofit executive, a funder, or a grassroots activist, you’ll find strategies, tools, and cases that you can use to power your vision as well as your everyday work. Connecting to Change the World is essential reading for anyone who’s passionate about using networks to advance social change."

    — Kathy Reich, Director, Building Institutions and Networks (BUILD), Ford Foundation

  • "Though we know, deep in our bones, that we’re better together than alone, most of us don’t know how to activate or even initiate strong, effective networks. Plastrik, Taylor, and Cleveland have spent the better part of their careers studying and trying to remedy this problem, and to great effect."

    — William Shutkin, President and CEO of Presidio Graduate School


The authors of "Connecting to Change the World" are working on a new book