zephyr impact overview

Zephyr Impact is a 501 (c) 3 philanthropic collaborative launched by the Harbourton Foundation and StepChange Partners to accelerate social impact.  We believe like-minded donors and social entrepreneurs can learn from each other and accelerate impact.   We do this by:

• Assembling a collective of donors who care deeply about solving a specific problem facing our society today.
• Investing in social entrepreneurs who are tackling big ideas for change but are focused enough to make a measurable difference right away. 
• Creating a community of practice — based on strengthening knowledge and building trust — that will effect lasting change, together.

Zephyr Impact created the Youth Wellbeing Fund to support nonprofits with proven success and bold ideas so they can serve as a model for others.  We partner with organizations working in traditionally underserved communities to ensure all students have access to wellbeing and other mental health resources. We give our partners the funding they need to grow.  And we surround them with an advisory council of experts who provide strategic guidance and mentoring.  We also invest in the research, communications, advocacy, and policy resources needed to address our youth mental health crisis.

Zephyr Impact High-Level Collaborative Philanthropy Goals 

• Reduce pursuit costs and infrastructure through economies of scale to create powerful change 
• Leverage relationships and knowledge-base for family offices and foundations in program management 
• Build confidence through collaboration more bold giving, knowing that other givers are also majorly committed 

Our Methodology

Curate a small network of promising organizational leaders and solutions (vetted, based on shared investment criteria and principles) 

Invest in the identified promising social entrepreneurs within specific fields and focus areas (e.g. youth development/ mindfulness, Africa- community resilience, technology for the social sector, etc.) 

Support change leaders in honing program and product offerings for scale, ‘beyond the grant’ 

• External supports (strategy, planning, and advisory) 
• Board development and expansion 
• Identify and develop co-funder relations 
• Link to top-tier research & evaluation teams, or other category needs 
• Remove barriers to accelerate scale and impact of programs