Collaborating with nonprofits and their communities.

You deserve support that fits. Not only a plan, but a partner who listens, adapts, and helps you move forward.

I’m Abbey Harlow, a nonprofit strategist, fundraiser, and communications partner. I help organizations build the clarity, systems, and language they need to move forward — without burning out.

I've spent 20 years helping nonprofits with strategy, fundraising, and facilitation. I work with teams in different ways (retreats, group programs, and one-on-one consulting) but my approach is always the same: grounded in reality, focused on people, and reaching toward what’s possible.

My clients know me for my calm presence, thoughtful questions, and ability to translate messy nonprofit realities into plans that fit. Outside of the nonprofit space, I live with my husband and two children in Wallingford, Vermont. We have an ever-expanding vegetable garden that fills our freezer and cupboards for most of the year. I sometimes teach canning classes and sing with my vocal ensemble the Howling Hens. I read as many books as I can - some to myself, and many to my kids (if you’re a StoryGraph user, you can see what I’m currently reading here). I like planning adventures big and small, many of which include the beautiful state I call home.

What guides my work

  • Burnout isn’t inevitable, and sustainability isn’t just about money.

  • I create space for voices that often get left out of planning, fundraising, and messaging decisions.

  • Good plans and clear messaging give your team more energy, not more tasks.

  • I help surface what’s working, organize what’s overwhelming, and make the path forward clearer.

I believe planning should feel energizing, not exhausting. I believe fundraising should deepen relationships, not drain your team. And I believe nonprofits deserve support that recognizes both the complexity of their work and the humanity of the people doing it.

I’m not here to hand you a perfect plan from a distance. I’m here to sit next to you, ask the right questions, and help you find your way forward.

Ready to explore how we might work together? Whether you're looking for collective learning, group coaching, or customized consulting, let's talk about what fits.

What people are saying:

  • “Abbey expertly combines thoughtfulness, skill, and knowledge in her work, and perhaps most importantly, she brings an easy-going approach to collaboration. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Abbey and would welcome the opportunity to work with her again.”

    Emily Kirkel, ZERO Prostate Cancer

  • “Abbey was quick to understand our mission and articulated it with care and skill throughout our range of communications. She also served as an excellent source of moral support to the Executive Director (myself) in the day-to-day juggle of small nonprofit realities! I can't say enough glowing things about Abbey and would highly recommend contracting with her for your nonprofit fundraising needs without reservation!”

    Sarah Brown, Inclusive Arts Vermont

  • "Abbey's expertise was invaluable. Her clear, easy-to-follow recommendations will support our growth for years to come.”

    Julie Garwood, The Children's School

  • "We had many questions and needed to learn a lot. Abbey was patient and resourceful about answering us through every step."

    Nonprofit Client

  • “Abbey brings a wealth of knowledge, innovation, and organization to her work with many different types of non-profits; always with her sunny, upbeat disposition. She’s a joy to work with!”

    Charma Bonanno, Weston Playhouse Theatre Company

  • “Abbey possesses the rare combination of being both task oriented and creative/forward thinking. She has demonstrated time and time again an ability to get the job at hand accomplished efficiently and with the highest of standards while also problem solving to find creative ‘out-of-the-box’ solutions to difficult projects. Abbey brings a wealth of expertise to her work while also maintaining a very client-centered personal approach.”

    Kevin Molloy, Spring Lake Ranch

  • “Abbey has been fantastic to work with - clear communication, openness, timely, and creative!”

    Catherine Cusack, Green Mountain Farm to School

  • “Wow! You knocked it out of the park! I am so thrilled about this letter and the graphics. It is spot on.....one I can feel very proud to send out to our donor base and new prospects. With such a fantastic letter I am really going to advocate for a much larger mailing list than last year. ”

    Lisa Martin, American Precision Museum

  • " Abbey was wonderful to work with. She communicated clearly throughout the process about what she needed from me, kept me posted on her progress, and responded every time I had a question. She was encouraging, supportive, and patient with me... She took the initiative to learn about my organization, its services, goals, and even language style... I felt very relieved to be able to turn my hopes and ideas over to her competent hands. I would definitely recommend Harlow Nonprofit Consulting to other nonprofit organizations."

    Laura Slesar, KidPower VT

  • "Abbey was an invaluable help during our most recent individual donor campaign. We ended the campaign on time, and over our goal!"

    Devin Ross, ONE Wake

  • Abbey has been such a joy to work with. Her expertise and wisdom are outstanding, and her patient and caring nature as well as her fun attitude are absolutely refreshing. We are deeply grateful for the impact she and her team have had on our organization.”

    Martina Anderson, Vermont Association for Mental Health & Addiction Recovery/Recovery Vermont

  • “I have worked with Abbey on many projects over the past several years and it is always a pleasure. Abbey is both professional and personable and brings great vision and intelligence to her work. I am a photographer and she has done an excellent job clearly communicating the needs of her clients to me. She also fosters creativity and collaboration to maximize the results and options in ways that go above and beyond expectations.”

    Ben DeFlorio, Photographer

  • “Abbey will be a wonderful partner for your development needs. She is thoughtful, knowledgeable, and precise. As an added bonus, she is also a delightful person! Her warmth is infused into all of her work, a particularly valuable quality for a development professional whose aim is to help your organization connect on a deeper level with your constituents. I loved my time working with Abbey!”

    Anna Sutton, Spring Lake Ranch

  • “I would definitely recommend Harlow Nonprofit Consulting to other nonprofit organizations”

    Laura Slesar, KidPower VT

  • “Working with Abbey was a joy!”

    Caroline Rex-Waller, Documentary Songwriters

It’s been such a joy to partner with these organizations: