When Karen Harshaw founded SPARK Philanthropy, she had no idea the impact she would make on the community. The consulting firm, which delivers high-quality, mission-driven fundraising strategies and training, aims to develop the resources, skills, and know-how to build a more effective organization, successful donor relationships, and maximize revenue.
“It’s our mission to transform leaders and board members into fundraising powerhouses equipped with the resources they need to be effective and have greater mission impact,” explains Harshaw. “Additionally, SPARK Philanthropy also works with organizations’ leaders to teach them how to be more effective and create and build a culture of fundraising.”
SPARK launched back in 2018, and since its inception has become the spark that Harshaw needed to build her own table. With a proven track record of leading development teams and raising money, she knew that she could do what she had put her mind to, despite the fear she felt. She also felt pride in being the first Black and Black Women fundraising consultant in Cincinnati.
“I wanted to help nonprofits that were struggling to raise money or needing a new direction to go in how to shift and turn things around, and make a greater impact looking at their entire philanthropic landscape versus one small area,” she says. “I was afraid to step out on my own. I knew it wouldn’t be easy. I knew it would be something bold, new, and scary all at the same time. But I had to stop making excuse after excuse. I was connected. I was good. And people knew me. It was time to find my spark and build my own table, so I did.”
As the founder and principal consultant of SPARK Philanthropy, Harshaw brings 25 years of experience to her organization and has worked with a number of organizations of all sizes. She’s also led development teams from Monster.com’s Diversity Leadership Program, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati, WordPlay Cincy, and the Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty.
“My passion is connecting inspired people to a fulfilling purpose,” she says. “I’ve raised millions and has led record-setting campaigns and am continuously improving myself; mastering the theory and science of fundraising.”
Since its inception, SPARK Philanthropy has worked with 47 nonprofit organizations inside and outside of Ohio, including Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, Texas, and California. She’s even ventured outside of the country, as one of the nonprofits they work with has a second location in Liberia. “I guess we can say we are international,” she laughs.
When it comes to helping nonprofits in the Tri-State, she says that SPARK is dedicated to focusing on four key areas to help meet an organization’s growth goals. These goals include fundraising strategies, strategic planning, capacity building, and board development and governance.
SPARK Philanthropy works to guide and coach organizations step-by-step and immersing itself into the culture of the organization. “We work with nonprofits on every aspect of developing, planning, and running an effective development program and organization to help them reach their goals,” she says. “SPARK brings a fresh, new perspective and ideas that organizations may not always see.”
Additionally, SPARK is there to identify areas of opportunity for sustainable growth by looking at the entire nonprofit landscape; building and updating strategic plans; teaching nonprofits how to build and maintain an effective Board; training the Board and staff members; and mapping out fundraising strategies to enhance overall performance.
And the strategic plans aren’t just for the organizations its helping. In fact, Harshaw says that SPARK recently wrapped up its new strategic plan that kicks off on January 1. “We will be bringing back in-person workshops and trainings,” she adds.
To learn more about SPARK Philanthropy and its mission, visit www.sparkconsultingpartners.com or check them out on Facebook.
