Types of Communities

Type Definition Characteristics Examples

Community of A community with a goal to use Focus upon milestones. Care2

Action collective power to make change in Updates on progress. Oxfam
the world. Facilitation of group KIVA
commitment and sharing of best GiftedIssues
practices to achieve goals. BraveNewClimate
TreeHugger

Community of A community for people Focus on what’s new and what’s Lawyers.com
Practice participating in the same activity. proven. Doc2Doc
Search for credible expertise. DesignSpark
Agreed domain of knowledge. PMI
ConnectedEducators
TES Connect
AutoDesk
EMC
CareSpace
Element14
BaristaExchange
Ravelry

Community of A community for people united by Focus upon local events, people, NextDoor
Place geography. and activity. EastDulwich
Useful reciprocation cycles Harringey Online
(members supporting other W14
members).

Community of A community for people whom Focus upon depth of passion for GolfFTI
Interest share the same common interest. the interest. SyFy
Bonding and status-jockeying Metal detectors
discussions. CoinTalk
Push towards more ‘hardcore’ Ice and Fire
discussions. TechCrunch
Man Utd
BullsConnect
Playstation

Community of A community for people united by Focus upon support for dealing PatientsLikeMe
Circumstance a common situation or challenge with the situation. MSWorld
not of their making. Large number of bonding- BreastCancer.org
related discussions. MacMillan

course.feverbee.com
 Hybrid Communities

Hybrid Definition Characteristics Examples

Community of A community for people looking Focus on local issues and IslingtonRefugeeForum
place and action to change something in their local advocacy on behalf of
area. undeserved communities,
minorities, or interest groups

Community of A community based around a Focus upon building local ConnectingHR

place and geographic area for people that connections between people in Geneva Web Communications
practice participate in the same activity. the same practice, improving Underwater Australia
competition against other
regions, and building bridging
social capital.

Community of A community for people that Focus upon local meetups Chronicles
place and enjoy the same activity in their where people can find those New England Fishing
interest area. with the same unique interests NYC Midnight
and build new friendships

Community of A community for people that are Focus on bringing local support CancerConnection Canada
place and affected by the same situation in groups together in the same Mumsnet
circumstance their area. room and providing meaningful, ParkSlopeParents
effective, support

Community of A community for people that want Focus milestones to change and D2B Sustain The Gain
action and to change something in their improve that practice, or Greenwire
practice profession. prevent the end of something BackPackingLight
good in the practice. Strong
relevance to new technology

Community of A community for people that want Focus upon preserving Live for Heaven
action and to change something about their something special about the
interest interest. interest, changing the nature of
the interest, or improving the
interest. Very milestone
orientated.

Community of A community for people that want Focus upon changing the nature Asthma Community Network
action and to change something about their of support for the circumstance Veteran Benefits Network
circumstance situation. or helping those in a similar
circumstance in a unique and
lasting way.

Community of A community for people that Focus upon people that have a SFFWorld
practice and participate in the same activity but particular belief or interest UN New Media Professionals
interest share another common interest. within that topic. This will
usually veer more towards
bonding-related activities
around the interest.

Community of A community for people that Focuses upon how those in that YoungEntrepreneurs
practice and participate in the same activity practice can get through the GOTO (Oxford Uni)
circumstance and face the same situation. unique circumstance they are StudentDoctor
facing. This is support-
orientated in nature and often
focuses on the cutting edge of
the domain.

Community of A community for people that are Focus upon bonding-related RockAndRoll Tribe
interest and passionate about the same topic discussions within the interest, I’ll Pump You Up
circumstance and face similar situations. or support-based self-disclosure Stache Passions
activities.