A three-month collective learning experience for nonprofit humans who want to reimagine how we work, lead, and care together.
Winter is the season of deep roots.
When the world goes quiet, there’s space to listen — to ourselves and to each other. Time to pause, absorb, mull.
Winter invites reflection. The kind that doesn’t rush to an answer.
It’s the perfect time to make space, take a good look at our personal habits, and reconnect with the purpose behind our work.
This winter, we’re creating that space together.
The Way We Work: Winter Roots is a three-month virtual series for anyone doing the work of nonprofits: from staff to board members to volunteers.
Every week from mid-January through the end of March 2026, we’ll gather as a community to explore how we can work with more intention, inclusion, and depth, aided by the support of incredible experts and facilitators
This isn’t about doing more with less. In fact, it’s not about doing more at all.
It’s about rethinking how we show up in our work. How the ecosystems of our organizations can center humanity and our well being.
It’s about doing it better, together.
Why We Need Spaces Like This
Nonprofits have been stretched thin for too long. The pace, the pressure, the constant juggling; it’s a lot. And when capacity feels scarce, genuine learning and connection are often the first things to go.
I built this series as a gentle antidote to that squeeze. Because everyone deserves time and space to think, grow, and replenish themselves, so they can bring that energy back to their teams
This series is a kind of third space; not home, not work, but a place where nonprofit people can show up as they are. A place where we can drop our titles, set down the to-do list, and be in community with each other.
Past Way We Work participants said:
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“That was so, so lovely. Thank you for organizing!”
“Thank you so much for hosting this amazing get together. I needed this type of connection with like-minded non-profit leaders”
That’s the energy we’re building on this winter. Over these three months, we’ll learn from practitioners doing powerful, human-centered work — and from each other. You’ll leave replenished, rejuvenated, and ready for spring.
This Is for You If…
You work in or alongside a nonprofit — as staff, board, volunteer, or consultant — and are ready to ponder big ideas that will carry you through 2026 and beyond.
You crave honest, reflective conversations that go beyond “best practices.”
You’re tired of rushing from one fire to the next and want to build something more sustainable.
You value inclusion, collaboration, and community over competition.
You’ve been looking for a professional space that feels both useful and human.
What You’ll Carry Forward
This isn’t a course or a checklist. It’s making time to think differently about work and to feel supported while you do it.
Over the winter, you can expect to:
Reimagine the systems and stories shaping your work
Learn practical tools for more inclusive, human-centered leadership
Build a network of peers who get what you’re navigating
Leave each session with clarity, not overwhelm
Rediscover the part of you that got into this work in the first place
These conversations will help you slow down, notice patterns, and find your footing for the year ahead.
How It Works
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Each session runs about 60-75 minutes, combining expert insight and real conversation.
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Guest speaker sessions led by nonprofit practitioners.
Each talk includes time for reflection, discussion, resource sharing. All the good stuff! -
Collective learning sessions and facilitated conversations led by Abbey, where the group decides what to explore next.
These are part coworking, part conversation; a place to share experiences and tools, make meaning and to build collective wisdom.
Speaker Lineup Coming Soon…
Open to All, Sustained by Community Care
This series is free because professional development and capacity building should be for everyone, no matter the size of your budget or your team. No questions asked, no gatekeeping.
But if you’re able, we invite you to contribute in the spirit of reciprocity and community support — helping cover speaker honoraria, tech costs, and future programming.
Example monthly contributions:
💙 $45/month — “I have some room in the budget and want to support this work.”
💚 $95/month — “I believe in this space and can help pay it forward for someone else.”
🌿 [Your amount here] — whatever feels right for you.
No matter what, you belong here, and this space is for you.
Partners in This Work
This series is made possible through the generosity and collaboration of our community partners: local businesses, mission-driven companies, and organizations that believe in strengthening the humans behind nonprofit work.
Each partner brings their own story and expertise to the table, whether through financial sponsorship, shared resources, or creative contributions that help make this space more accessible for everyone.
We’re deeply grateful for their support in keeping these conversations free and open.
Interested in becoming a partner?
We’d love to feature your business or organization in ways that go beyond a logo. Learn more about partnership opportunities
FAQs
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Yes. This is a community that’s coming together to learn over time. Things come up and you don’t have to attend every session, but registration is for the entire three-month experience.
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That’s okay. Practitioner sessions will be recorded, and you’ll get access to all replays. Collective learning sessions won’t be recorded — they’re designed to be live, reflective spaces.
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Absolutely. Just have each person register individually so we can manage group size and share materials directly.
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It’s a guided discussion where participants shape the conversation. Think of it as collaborative problem solving meets group wisdom.
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No prep required. Come as you are: messy notes, lunch in hand, children scampering around, camera on or off.
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No. While many participants are from New England, the series is open to nonprofit folks everywhere.
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Because access matters more than exclusivity. Our community partners and voluntary contributions make it possible to offer this series without a paywall.
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Perfect. This is for learners at every level, from first-year staffers to long-time leaders who still want to ask better questions.
A Note from Abbey
I’ve spent nearly two decades helping small nonprofits build stronger systems, and I’ve seen how easily the people behind the work get lost in the process.
This series is one small way to change that; a space to pause, connect, and remember that we can build thriving organizations that do good work without burning out the humans inside them.
I can’t wait to see you this winter.
— Abbey Harlow
Founder & Principal
Harlow Nonprofit Consulting
