Trusted by
Apollo Advancement
I help arts, education, and community nonprofits raise more money for their mission - by telling stories, forging relationships, and empowering you and your staff with the tools you need to succeed.
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The Vision
The support is out there - people in your community who would give generously if they truly understood what you're building and how it speaks directly to their deepest passions and interests. What you need is a fundraising program with the strength to match the scale of your dreams.
Let's Talk About Your Organization →The Approach
I embed with your team as a senior fundraising partner: part strategist, part builder, part storyteller. I design the development program, write the case for support, build the donor pipeline, and train your people to carry it forward. When I leave, you're stronger than when I arrived.
See How We Work Together →The Difference
Donors don't give because an AI-powered CRM algorithm identified them as a promising prospect. They give because a real human being sat down with them and shared a story: a story of lives transformed, communities strengthened, wonder sparked, or beauty created and shared; and then (and this is the important part), invited the donor to participate in that story, as a partner.
I'm a story-teller before I'm a consultant. My work begins with listening and finding the stories that connect your supporters with what you do, at the deepest level.
Fundraising built on relationships. Communications built on craft. Strategy built on the conviction that human beings still matter more than data points.
See the Results →01
Senior fundraising leadership on a monthly retainer, without the cost of a full-time hire.
Ask About Retainers →02
A clear-eyed assessment of where you stand, with an actionable roadmap to get where you're going.
Book an Audit →04
Practical workshops that turn uncertain or reluctant board members and staff into enthusiastic and confident fundraisers.
Ask About Workshops →05
Cases for support, donor newsletters, digital strategy: the communications that make fundraising work.
Let's Talk Communications →06
A website that works as hard as you do: clear positioning, compelling copy, and search visibility that brings the right people to your door.
Talk About Your Website →
Founder, Apollo Advancement
A fundraiser who tells stories. A philosopher who geeks out over systems. An executive whose passion is the arts and education. 20 years in nonprofit leadership, and a track record that includes creating and growing flourishing fundraising and marketing programs from the ground up.
Read the Full Story → Start a ConversationClient Testimonials
"When John came on board, we had about 50 donors and no real fundraising infrastructure. Within a year, he'd grown our donor base to over 300 and more than doubled our annual revenue. That's the kind of personal, skin-in-the-game commitment he brings to his clients."
Frank CallaghanFormer Board Chair, Wayside Academy
"In five short weeks, under John's guidance, we raised over $100,000 — more than double any campaign total we had run in the previous 35 years. His writing is extraordinary. I can wholeheartedly recommend John as the person an organization wants to run a campaign."
Syd BirrellFounder & Artistic Director (retired), The Peterborough Singers
No pitch. No pressure. Just an honest conversation about where you are, where you want to be, and what it would take to get there.
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