Benefits of Consortia Membership

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Neighborhood Networks consortia offer members numerous benefits, including:

	Increased information and resource sharing. Consortium meetings provide centers with the opportunity to exchange program ideas, successful practices, and curricula with other centers, as well as identify solutions to common challenges. Centers also have the opportunity to network with community technology organizations and partners. A consortium can also facilitate joint programming and combine center resources for marketing and media outreach efforts.
	Access to more funding. A consortium expands center fundraising opportunities because potential funders and partners are often interested in supporting large-scale community-based projects that involve many groups and serve a larger population.
	Nonprofit status. Centers without 501(c)(3) nonprofit status can acquire it through membership in a registered nonprofit consortium. This status expands funding opportunities for centers because many grant funders require applicants to have 501(c)(3) status.

There are more than 20 regional Neighborhood Networks consortia, as well as the Neighborhood Networks National Consortium (NNNC). Combined, these consortia are helping hundreds of Neighborhood Networks centers achieve impressive results.