Philanthropic Strategy and Evaluation that Align Resources with Community Needs

HoweWise Consulting partners with foundations, donor collaboratives and philanthropic infrastructure organizations to sharpen grantmaking strategy, strengthen evaluation practices, and build collective impact in the human rights sector.

I'm Erin Howe, and I founded HoweWise after more than a decade working at the intersection of philanthropy and social movements—as a Program Officer at Open Society Foundations, as a Principal at Strength in Numbers Consulting Group, and in partnership with institutions and donor collaboratives including the Gates Foundation, Ms. Foundation for Women and the Sex Work Donor Collaborative. What drives my work is a simple conviction: philanthropic resources should flow to what communities and social movements actually need.

Why Work With Me?

Here's the truth: I love other people's problems. I thrive as a hands-on thought partner, helping you move your work forward even when the path isn't clear.

What you'll get when you work with me is a committed and agile collaborator who can help you navigate both still and rocky waters. After more than ten years of consulting, I've learned that my most valuable role is often providing an outside perspective on what's working and why, what's happening in the broader context and what others are doing that you can learn from.

I excel at synthesizing complex information and diverse perspectives into clear strategy and actionable next steps. And when specialized expertise is needed, I have a network of talented colleagues I can draw on to ensure you get exactly what you need.

My approach centers on:

  • Authentic relationships and community voice, I believe the people closest to the issues have the clearest insights

  • Rigorous research combined with deep reflection, good strategy requires both data and wisdom

  • Equity-focused practices that examine power and resource flows honestly

  • Processes that lead to action

Services

Philanthropic Strategy

Strategy Development
I guide foundations through developing theories of change, evaluation frameworks and grantmaking strategies that reflect their values and drive measurable impact. My process centers stakeholder input and ensures your strategy is both ambitious and achievable.

Landscape Analysis
I assess funding opportunities through comprehensive research combining qualitative interviews with field leaders, community listening sessions, analysis of published literature and practitioner insights. You'll gain clarity on gaps, opportunities and strategic entry points

Learning & Evaluation

Portfolio Evaluation & Grantmaking Review
I conduct portfolio-level evaluations and strategic reviews to assess alignment between resources and strategy. My analyses help you understand whether funding is reaching communities positioned to create change and where adjustments could strengthen impact.

Learning & Reflection Facilitation
I design and facilitate structured learning processes that help program teams extract insights from their work, adapt to changing contexts and continuously improve practice.

Practice Documentation
I capture institutional knowledge through facilitated conversations and documentation processes that build alignment, clarify decision-making frameworks and strengthen organizational practice.

Sector Research & Donor Organizing

Philanthropic Research & Analysis
I conduct rigorous qualitative and quantitative research that advances sector knowledge. My public-facing reports and presentations synthesize complex data into actionable insights for funders and advocates alike.

Collaborative Design & Facilitation
I convene and facilitate advisory councils, funder collaboratives and cross-sector initiatives. Whether you're launching a new funding collaborative or deepening existing partnerships, I design processes that build trust and drive collective action.

Donor Engagement & Relationship Cultivation
I proactively engage individual donors and philanthropic advisors to expand funding for critical issue areas, translating complex research into compelling investment opportunities.

About Erin Howe, Founder & Principal

Erin Howe (she/her) founded HoweWise Consulting to help bridge the gap between philanthropic resources and social movement needs.

With more than a decade as a philanthropic strategist, researcher, evaluator and donor organizer, Erin has cultivated deep expertise in effective grantmaking and equity-centered evaluation. Her career has been defined by a commitment to centering community voice and aligning resources with what movements actually need to succeed.

Experience includes:

  • Principal, Strength in Numbers Consulting Group (10 years) — Led strategic research and evaluation projects for major foundations

  • Program Officer, Open Society Foundations (6 years) — Directed grantmaking in human rights programming

  • Strategic partnerships with the Gates Foundation, Ms. Foundation for Women and other leading foundations and donor collaboratives

Erin recently completed certifications in impact philanthropy advising and collaborative philanthropy with Daylight Advisors, deepening her expertise in bringing evaluation and learning tools to diverse philanthropic audiences.

What clients value most: Erin excels at synthesizing complex information and diverse perspectives into clear strategy and actionable next steps. She brings an extensive network of experts to every project, ensuring clients have access to the specialized knowledge they need. Above all, she is a committed thought partner who helps move work forward—whether you're navigating complex strategic decisions or refining established practices.

Collaborators

HoweWise Consulting collaborates closely with Dr. Ankit Rastogi on fund tracking and quantitative analysis projects, bringing rigorous data analysis to philanthropic research.

Dr. Ankit Rastogi (they/them) is a quantitative methodologist with over fifteen years of experience using statistical research to inform and strengthen social movements. Their passion lies in translating advanced quantitative methods into tools that are clear, practical, accessible, and visually engaging. They bring a deep understanding of race, gender, and intersecting systems of oppression to all their work. Over the years, Dr. Rastogi has supported a range of philanthropic clients like the Wellspring Philanthropic Fund and small family foundations such as Halloran Philanthropies. With HoweWise, Ankit has performed fundtracking working for the Sex Work Donor Collaborative and the Open Society Foundations.

Select Clients

What Clients Say

“Erin has led all the donor research we have done to date. She is committed to finding the best and strongest methodology for quantitative data collection projects. She is relentlessly thorough and at the same time flexible and good at solving data puzzles, which are common in fund tracking. She brings all of her contacts and expertise to bear on every project. She is guided by her passion for the communities we are seeking to serve and always prioritizes their voices. She can translate complex research findings clearly for grassroots audiences. She brings kindness to all her interactions, which eases the way.”

— Sienna Baskin,
Coordinator, Sex Work Donor Collaborative

Featured Work

The Threat to Sex Workers: Declining Funding for Sex Worker-Led Organizations
Research report examining the impact of the withdrawal of foreign aid by the U.S. and Dutch governments and the impact on sex worker organizations, movements and communities.

Let’s Talk

Whether you're developing a new strategy, evaluating your current portfolio or exploring collaborative funding opportunities, we'd welcome the chance to explore how HoweWise Consulting can support your work.