Replicating Grant Programs: A Topical Resource List

The following resources detail ways for grantmakers to replicate successful programs and services as a way to maximize giving impact.

Bradach, Jeffrey L. "Going to Scale: The Challenge of Replicating Social Programs." Stanford Social Innovation Review vol. 1 (Spring 2003) p. 18-25.

Bradach ponders the analogy between replication in the nonprofit arena and franchising in the business sector, looking at how the third sector might learn from the lessons that are available from corporate practices and experience. He also delves into the relationship between local affiliates and a central headquarters. With bibliographic references. Available online

Conservation Company, Public/Private Ventures, and Pew Charitable Trusts. Building from Strength: Replication as a Strategy for Expanding Social Programs that Work. Philadelphia, PA: Replication and Program Services, Inc. 1993. v, 53 p.

Investigates the potential of replication for extending the scale of effective services in the fields of domestic social programs. Gathers information on the cost-effective use of scarce resources, and considers possible steps that might be taken by foundations and public agencies to help promising local programs expand their activities to new sites. Finds that replication does not typically occur as a result of deliberate public policy, but as a private, occasional, ad hoc entrepreneurial effort. Concludes that replication is not currently utilized to anywhere near its potential as a tool to assist local decision-making in deploying limited resources, to establish standards of effectiveness in large systems, and to promote local staff professional development and productivity. Recommends a publication for general use on replication, the establishment of a resource group, and national fund(s) for program replication. In implementing these findings, a new nonprofit organization, Replication and Program Services, Inc. was created in June 1993. Available online

Curtis, Lynn A. "Lessons from the Street: Capacity Building and Replication." Journal for Nonprofit Management vol. 5 (Summer 2001) p. 18-35.

Describes the technical assistance model in place at the Milton S. Eisenhower Foundation. With bibliographic references. Available online

Fairfield, Kent D. and Kennard T. Wing. "Collaboration in Foundation Grantor-Grantee Relationships." Nonprofit Management & Leadership, vol. 19 (Fall 2008): p. 27-44.

An exploratory study of the relations between foundations and their grantee organizations, noting the traits of productive collaborations and offering suggestions on how to replicate these cooperative funder-grantee relationships. The authors base their research on a focus group of five nonprofit chief executives, and interviews with representatives from eight foundations and eight nonprofits.

Growing Smarter: Achieving Sustainability in Emerging Community Foundations. San Francisco, CA: James Irvine Foundation, 2007. 33 p. (Insight Community Foundations Series).

This paper on young and emerging community foundations explores sustainability issues that are also relevant to community foundations of any size that are growing in scale. The report examines the experiences of nine community foundations that participated in the James Irvine Foundation's Community Foundations Initiative II, plus 15 other community foundations across the United States. Available online

Racine, David. "Dissolving Dualities: The Case for Commonsense Replication." Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly vol. 32 (June 2003) p. 307-14.

Schreter, Carol A. and Steven W. Brummel. "What Foundations Call Funding Opportunities." Fund Raising Management vol. 20 (July 1989) p. 32, 34, 38-9.

Examines how foundations seek to fund projects with a "multiplier effect," which allows a grant to achieve long-term and broad-scale impact. Understanding this approach to grantmaking can help project planners and fundraisers who wish to attract foundation support. This article reviews several facts about the foundation world, mentions other pertinent developments in grantmaking, and offers examples of programs which illustrate the multiplier effect. Advises collaboration with well-known and trusted institutions to both stimulate funding and to help deal with problems of great complexity, such as homelessness. Foundations are also interested in funding self-help projects. Intergenerational programming produces a multiplier effect by having older people provide services to youth, thus satisfying the needs of both groups. Replication of established models suited to your particular community is also a good way to attract foundation funding. Organizations are reminded that foundations want visible and tangible outcomes.