Teaching Paper: Network Maps and Alliance Models for Non-Profit Collaboration

Collaboration among non-profit organizations is essential for amplifying voice, pooling resources, and sustaining legitimacy in contested environments. This Teaching Paper introduces four archetypal network models—Star Networks, Mesh Networks, Hybrid Networks, and Transnational Advocacy Networks—that illustrate how NGOs structure alliances. Each model reflects distinct trade-offs between efficiency, inclusivity, accountability, and resilience. By linking theoretical insights with practical application, the paper provides tools for analyzing inter-organizational cooperation, highlighting how governance arrangements shape information flows, decision-making authority, and legitimacy. A case study illustrates application of these models in advocacy practice. The Teaching Paper concludes with challenges, reflection questions, and academic value for both scholars and practitioners.