Teaching Paper: Coalition and Network Maps – Strengthening Collective Advocacy Through Strategic Mapping

Coalitions and networks are essential vehicles for amplifying the influence of non-profit advocacy, enabling organizations to pool resources, enhance legitimacy, and engage decision-makers collectively. This Teaching Paper introduces coalition and network mapping as a structured tool for analyzing relationships among NGOs, donors, grassroots actors, and other stakeholders. By visualizing dimensions such as actors, relationships, geography, resources, and decision rules, organizations can identify leverage points, structural gaps, and opportunities for collaboration. The paper combines scholarship in network governance and collective action with practical guidance and a case study from a national health advocacy campaign, providing both a theoretical foundation and actionable tools for practitioners and students.