SVP Boston Insider October 2025

Dear Partners, Grantees, and Supporters,

On September 9, Boston’s Annual Partner Meeting convened at EY Boston. Twenty-two partners gathered in person to celebrate partnership and progress. We presented updates on our impact and initiatives, and had engaging and collaborative breakout discussions on how we can continue advancing our mission during turbulent times.

We are continuing to build our programming, and I am excited about the Lunch & Learn lineup over the next several months. This convenient, hour-long monthly Zoom format with top-notch presenters is proving popular among our partners and grantees, as it provides an excellent learning opportunity for nonprofit success. Our Lunch & Learns are free and open to the public, so feel free to invite others in the nonprofit or philanthropy world who might be interested! Recordings and slides from past Lunch & Learns are available on our website.

Thank you, as always, for your commitment to the SVP Boston mission. I am always available for a chat by phone, video, or over a cup of coffee! 

With gratitude,

Karin Cassel Mitterando, CEO

SVP Boston's 2025 Annual Partner Meeting held at EY Boston

2026 Grant Round Update

The SVP Boston Investment Committee is busy reviewing finalists for our 2026 Grant Round. We will be excited to announce the nonprofits selected to participate in a consulting engagement at our end-of-year celebration on December 16, and we look forward to another year of fruitful collaboration! 

Lunch & Learn: Massachusetts 401(k) CORE Plan

Employees are a nonprofit organization’s greatest asset. Offering a retirement plan is an effective way to attract, retain, and reward key talent.

Please join us on November 12th at 12:00 PM to learn how small nonprofits can help their employees plan for retirement through The Massachusetts 401(k) CORE Plan, built for and tailored to the Massachusetts nonprofit community. Core Plan Representative Lisa Cardinal will provide you with information about how this unique program can benefit your organization and your employees.

Welcome New Board Member

Ana Balcárcel

“I’m honored to join the Board of Directors of SVP Boston and to serve as the liaison between CRA and SVP. SVP Boston’s mission to empower local nonprofits through strategic consulting and grantmaking strongly resonates with me. I’m excited to contribute to this vibrant community and support nonprofits tackling critical issues like food insecurity, education equity, and housing access.” 

Ana Balcárcel is a principal in CRA’s Finance Practice. She has over 15 years of experience as an economic consultant working on a broad range of litigation, regulatory investigations, and other consulting matters. She has extensive experience consulting with clients on matters involving business and asset valuation, merger and acquisition disputes, calculation of economic damages, and other financial analyses. Ana is also a native Spanish speaker and fluent in English.

Welcome New Partner

Susan Simmons

Innovatus Strategies, Inc. 

“Having spent 3 decades in corporate America, helping companies grow, transform and optimize to deliver superior financial results, I joined SVP to challenge myself in a new way by working with others who focus on people and services, not profits."

Susan has over 20 years of experience in strategic and operational leadership in high-growth technology and media companies. Her experience includes scaling organizations, optimizing operations through automation and process evolution, and leading cross-functional execution to deliver revenue, growth, cost efficiencies, and long-term strategic advantage. Throughout her career she has become adept at partnering with executive teams, boards, and investors to align vision with execution.

Welcome New Resource Team Member

Karen Ann Engelbourg

As a philanthropic consultant, Karen Ann Engelbourg provides high-impact fundraising expertise to Young Man With A Plan and other non-profit organizations. Collaborating with Board members and organization leadership, Karen develops targeted strategies to accelerate fundraising success and visibility for mission-driven organizations.

Karen previously served as senior vice president for development at Boston University. As the University's chief advancement officer, Karen led all domestic and international fundraising with a team of 260+. Partnering with BU's president and trustees, Karen and her colleagues successfully raised over $1.8 billion, more than twice the Campaign's original goal. Notably, BU's recognition society for $1 million donors increased eight-fold during Karen's tenure.

Save The Date

November 12 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Massachusetts 401(k) CORE Plan: Lunch & Learn about a retirement plan designed for small Massachusetts nonprofits. 

December 3, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Optimizing Board Impact on Fundraising: Lunch & Learn with Karen Ann Engelbourg, philanthropic consultant and former senior vice president for development at Boston University. The Lunch & Learn Series is free and open to the public. 

December 16

End-of-Year Celebration at Corporate Partner Holland & Knight, sponsored by the Red Sox Foundation. 2026 nonprofit grantees will be announced!

Coming Soon!

As part of our commitment to nurturing young executives to become informed, effective, and generous philanthropists, we are developing a NextGen Philanthropists Program for our Catalyst and Corporate Partners. Stay tuned for details!

SVP Boston is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that relies on philanthropic support to advance its mission. Your donation will help people in Greater Boston achieve economic mobility through the vital work of our nonprofit grantees.

Support SVPB Mission Today!