Communities of Purpose are commonly known to enact their purposes through social movements, grassroots efforts, semi-formal groups, and through organizations in the voluntary sector. They carry out charitable missions and goals and are often committed to the pursuit of social welfare and social change. In this research, I explain why Communities of Purpose are organized complex systems, and consequently why their success or failure cannot be explained solely by traditional statistics. First, I describe common characteristics and patterns among various Communities of Purpose. Next, I present an understanding of the structure and behavior of individuals that make up Communities of Purpose. Using Network Science, I then examine the relationships between and among the individuals who collectively form a network of action around a specific community that increases awareness about homelessness and poverty-related issues. Using the lens of organized complexity, I present complex characteristics of how this specific communities’ success is impacted by structure and illuminate problem areas within the network. In response, I suggest a technological framework and corresponding online social connectedness tool, which can assist Communities of Purpose in being more successful at reaching their intended outcomes.
