A new analytical framework from Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors developed based on input from dozens of foundations and nonprofit partners worldwide enables funders to optimize how they achieve and evaluate impact.

Operating Archetypes: Philanthropy’s New Tool for Strategic Clarity has been designed to support more thoughtful and effective philanthropy by helping funders better understand and articulate their distinct position in the philanthropy ecosystem.

‘This unique tool is designed to strengthen philanthropy,’ said Melissa A. Berman, CEO of RPA. ‘Assessing an operating archetype, or pivoting to a different model, gives funders an analytical way to align the right resources and capabilities for enhanced impact.’

The archetypes were developed based on input from dozens of foundations and nonprofit partners worldwide as a result of RPA’s multi-year Theory of the Foundation® initiative, which seeks to enhance the capacity of philanthropies to effectively align their resources for the impact they envision. It flows out of The Philanthropy Framework, which was developed by RPA in 2019 as an instrument to guide emerging and established philanthropies to better align resources for maximum impact.

The eight distinct operating archetypes distilled by RPA include: Talent Agency, Think Tank, Campaign Manager, Field Builder, Venture Catalyst, Designer, Underwriter and Sower

To learn more about each archetype and how they can be used as a tool for action and alignment, download the Operating Archetypes publication.