RE-AMP—a coalition of 125 nonprofits and foundations in the U.S. Midwest with the goal of reducing regional global warming emissions 80 percent by 2050 (from 2005 levels)—has been tremendously successful in achieving progress toward its goal, because it has created such a robust and high-impact network.

In just a few years, “the network has helped legislators pass energy efficiency policies in six states; promoted one of the most rigorous cap-and-trade programs in the nation; and, halted the development of 28 new coal plants,” Monitor Institute reported. “The network has also built the capacity of regional activists, increased funding for its cause, created a number of shared resources, and developed stronger relationships between funders and nonprofits.”

In this case study of the RE-AMP network, “Transformer: How to Build a Network to Change a System,” Monitor Institute identifies six key best practices that have helped make this network so successful—an understanding of the system you are trying to change; involvement of both funders and nonprofits as equals from the beginning; investment in collective infrastructure for a network, not an organization; cultivation of leadership at many levels; creation of multiple opportunities to connect and communicate; and an adaptive but firm commitment to a long-term vision.