By Abby Rolland
With new and returning clients, new staff, engaging in the process of becoming a Benefit LLC, and much more, harp-weaver LLC had a full year. Throughout the time here, staff remain committed to serving our clients and serving our communities.
Included below are several highlights from the year, as well as what we’re looking forward to in 2024.
Moving to the Chestnut Hill neighborhood
In February, harp-weaver moved to the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia on Germantown Avenue. Staff are greatly enjoying being a member of this community and finding ways to give back here (see more on that below).
Engaging with two new clients in 2023
Two local family foundations have engaged harp-weaver to work in strategic and tactical ways to grow their impact. More about them and their work to come in 2024!
Continuing involvement with long-term clients
harp-weaver greatly values its relationships formed with clients over the years. These clients give to a wide range of areas in a number of different ways – from music and the arts to support of older adults to combating homelessness, and from grants to mission-related investments to convenings, each client receives harp-weaver’s tailored approach to supporting their mission and work.
Whether the engagement with the client started 15 years ago or 1.5 years ago, harp-weaver appreciates the opportunity to help further clients’ philanthropic goals.
Expanding staff
With the increased number of clients, additional staff support was necessary. Jill Greenfield Feldman was brought on in late 2022 as the part-time Financial Manager in support of all clients, and has expanded her role to provide foundation management support for The Greenfield Foundation. Rachael Gartner began as the full-time Administrative & Grants Associate, providing grants and administrative support.
Obtaining Benefit LLC status
As explained in this blog post, harp-weaver is in the process of obtaining Benefit LLC status. As of December 21, we are a certified B Corp. We’re committed to making a change and meeting the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.
Hosting Night Out With Meaning
In March, harp-weaver welcomed a full crowd of women to listen to Christine Smith, the co-founder of the Center for Loss and Bereavement, tell her story about losing her sister and nephew. While dealing with the emotions of that loss, Christine met fellow mental health counselor Shirley Elrod . They partnered to create the Center to support others experiencing grief from losing a loved one. Christine shared with all Night Out With Meaning attendees how she lives a life of meaning with loss.
Sharing thought leadership
harp-weaver staff bring a host of lived experiences and expertise to their roles and work. Some of that expertise, including in philanthropy and a number of issue areas related to philanthropic/nonprofit work is shared on harp-weaver’s blog.
This year, you can check out articles related to impact (general impact and evaluation), how an individual can organize their giving, what funders need to know about insurance, trust-based philanthropy, and more.
Engaging with the community
In many ways, harp-weaver seeks to support local businesses and engage with its community. This past summer and fall, harp-weaver partnered with the Foundation for Health Equity and the Chestnut Hill Business Association to engage nonprofits in the 19118 and 19119 zip codes. Through these conversations, organizations shared how they’d like to engage with others, promote their programs and events, and raise awareness about the value of their work.
Each of our staff members volunteer in their own communities. Owner and principal Teresa Araco Rodgers serves on the board/committee of Gwynedd Mercy High School, the Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund, Roadmap to Homes, the HUD Alignment Committee, the Montgomery County Your Way Home Advisory Council, chairs the Arts Funders group within Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia, and is actively involved with Investors Circle Philadelphia and Impact PHL. Financial Manager Jill Greenfield Feldman drives for MANNA delivering food to people with serious illnesses, and helps out at Greater Goods, a free grocery store in Kensington run by the Sunday Love Project. Administrative & Grants Associate Rachael Gartner serves as the co-chair for the Lisa’s Army 5K, and Communications & Foundation Manager Abby Rolland serves on the Girls on the Run – Philadelphia Associate Board and the Philadelphia AmeriCorps Alumni Board. She also volunteers for PEAK Grantmaking – Delaware Valley’s committee.
We’re sharing all of this work, and more, on our blog, newsletter, and social media. Feel free to subscribe to our blog to receive a notification whenever we post, and like/follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn!