updates & stories

Managing Big Change While Keeping the Mission in Mind When a Foundation's Board of Directors starts to restructure, it presents complex challenges that can be difficult for seasoned leaders to navigate, especially when they’re accustomed to operating a certain way. A shift in practices often requires a shift in mindset first, and directors with long records of public service may feel reluctant to embrace large-scale change. At harp-weaver, we guide these transitions with de

Nonprofit leaders are the backbone of the social sector, yet they're stretched thin - balancing competing pressures to deliver services while raising the funds needed to sustain the organization. Funders can strengthen an organization by providing core resources to those in leadership who guide mission direction and opportunities for impact. Most funding opportunities support specific projects or programs, and there's been growing momentum around operations support. But inves

What holds someone back from philanthropic giving? Some advisors assume the answer is financial. Clients may be concerned about preserving wealth for retirement, providing for future generations, or navigating economic uncertainty. As a result, philanthropic conversations often focus on financial planning, tax strategies, estate planning tools, and charitable vehicles. Those conversations are important. But recent research suggests another factor may be just as important: co

L, we engaged with practitioners from across the country on how to create a narrative shift toward regional, equitable, and structured community investment. This year’s conversations at Total Impact Summit '26: Capital Orchestration for the Future of Place left us with renewed conviction and productive discomfort. Over two days, ImpactPHL’s Summit continued to highlight that the future cannot simply be transactional; it must be relational to build long-term prosperity throu

By Abby Rolland As I’ve worked on harp-weaver LLC client projects over the years, I've become particularly interested in embedding data-related questions within grant applications and follow-up reports. We’ve published a number of blog posts about data, measurement, and evaluation on the harp-weaver blog, including this recent one by Dr. Samantha Matlin on how data informs philanthropy. But as we consider the more theoretical aspects of these ideas and how they apply, we’re a

Top two images: Greenfield Foundation Trustees and playwright Martyna Majok. Bottom image: The 2024 Hermitage Greenfield Prize dinner at the Hermitage Artist Retreat. By Jill Greenfield Feldman, Trustee & Foundation Manager The Hermitage Greenfield Prize is sponsored by Greenfield Foundation, a client of harp-weaver LLC. What better place to spark an artist’s creativity than a week’s stay on a beautiful tranquil beach? Professionals working in all sorts of media can relax, wo