Resources
& Roadmaps
From deciding who to bring on your journey to mapping out a plan and setting off on a new adventure together, these ideas can open up new possibilities that matter to the communities you serve.
Ready to resource your collaboration? Start here with our downloadable guide.
“Change is constant, and one of the most critical skills in nonprofit leadership is adaptability.”
-Kate Harris & Kate Piatt-Eckert, Considering Closure
Read the full article on the National Council for Nonprofits platform here:
https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/articles/considering-closure
Click the image to listen to Leaving Well Podcast Episode 86: Kate Harris on Structural Change as a Tool for Social Change.
“Mission resilience is how you actually make sure that even if the structure changes, even if the name changes, the whole reason we are here to do any of this is because of the people at the center that we care about. And we're not gonna leave anybody behind.” -Kate Harris
Podcasts
Articles
The Helia Collective
Mergers and Closures: Unexpected Ways to Move Your Mission Forward
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Kate Harris has spent her career helping organizations ask the question most of us avoid: is our current structure actually serving our mission? Her approach transforms organizational transitions from crisis management into strategic choice—because the work matters more than any individual organization, and the more intentional we get about structure, the better the work will be.
Nonprofit Quarterly
Are There Too Many Nonprofits? Or Too Few Bridges Between Them?
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If you’ve ever wondered whether the nonprofit field is overcrowded, this article offers a surprising perspective — one that shifts the conversation toward what’s possible when we rethink connection. Written by Kate Harris, it’s a great read for leaders and collaborators alike.
Marts & Lundy
Jewish Aging Services: Deeply rooted tenets that inspire philanthropy
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This article explores the core cultural values that shape philanthropic behavior within Jewish aging-services organizations, highlighting how long-held commitments to communal responsibility, care for elders, and collective well-being strengthen donor engagement. Drawing on findings from the PASS|2021 study, it invites readers to consider what their success reveals about building durable, values-driven fundraising models.
Blog Posts
Nonprofit Closure Resources
With my colleague, Kate Piatt-Eckert, we unravel the meaning of nonprofit closure - why it’s so hard, what prompts it, and how to reduce stigma by talking about it. Ending programs, roles, or whole organizations is just part of a natural lifecycle. We’re here to help organizations and leaders put the mission first and sometimes that means figuring out how to say farewell. Read the full article at the National Council of Nonprofits.
This collection of resources, curated by Camille Acey, supports nonprofits and leaders through the process of thoughtful closure, offering practical tools, templates, and guidance for each stage of winding down. From legal checklists to emotional support, it’s a hub designed to help organizations dissolve with clarity, dignity, and care.
The NGO Museum: a crowd-sourced collection of statements from organizations and initiatives announcing (or discussing) their closures. Submit your own story to add to the collection.
The Wind Down Self-Assessment: Thoughtful questions to help you process what closure means for you and your nonprofit.
More from Camille: In addition to a treasure trove of resources, the Wind Down also offers thoughtful insights you won’t find anywhere else. Here are some of our favorite blog posts on telling your closure story and the consequences of bad endings. And be sure to sign up for the Closing Remarks newsletter so you don’t miss a morsel of this delightful dissolution content.
With services and resources to support organizational transitions, Naomi Hattaway’s Leaving Well is our go to expert and thought leader for navigating workplace transitions.
Transition Readiness Assessment: To help you gain instant insights into your organization’s readiness for leadership transitions, Naomi’s assessment offers resources that match your transition archetype.
The Leaving Well Podcast: Naomi explores the nuanced stories behind leadership, community, and change, with a focus on the moments that shape how we show up in the world. Through honest conversations, it invites listeners to reflect on identity, belonging, and the power of transition.