T. Michael Fischer
Stewardship Leader
Indianapolis,IN
Summary
13 years of practice building the well resourced and stable nonprofit organizations. As a leader, organizations I served increased resource development through major and planned gifts. As a consultant, I significantly increased long-term capacity for churches and national nonprofits by bringing new effective approaches to planned giving, specializing in major gifts. As a speaker, I speak nationally to audiences in educating donors in the area of planned giving and generosity.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Partnerships Lead
FreeWill
New York, NY
11.2020 - Current
- Built and cultivated a healthy pipeline of customers interested in partnering with the company.
- Asked appropriate questions to identify prospects' needs and pinpoint solutions for the best fit.
- Developed creative solutions to meet individual client needs.
- Led push for sector-specific sales and PS team to serve faith market best.
- Created need for the faith task force to create unique service offerings and needed customizations for faith partners
- Collaborate cross-team to advocate and help create product features and marketing growth in the faith space
- Go to person for partner success strategists and AEs looking for guidance on how to best serve partners or prospects.
- Researched and trained faith sales team on various denominations and suggested outreach and marketing approaches.
Consultant, Speaker
Financial Planning Ministry
Irvine, CA
09.2016 - 10.2022
- Consulted with the largest churches in the US, helping grow or implement a planned giving program
- Implemented stories and anecdotes into speeches to make our proprietary 90 minute seminar engaging
- Branded products through effective salesmanship and maintained long-term relationships with clients
- Managed cross-functional team focused on sales and organizational growth
- Managed a diverse portfolio of clients with various religious beliefs
- Conducted meetings with clients to determine project intent, requirements and budgets
- Created online webinars promoting planned giving in churches and parachurch ministries
- Created training and trained staff in the art of presenting webinars, digital communication, and other methods of technology
Director of Development
Mission To Ukraine
Zhytomyr , Ukraine
08.2014 - 09.2016
- Led international communications and fundraising team focused on annual fund and capital campaign soliciting donations in USA, Europe, and Ukraine.
- Developed and implemented marketing campaigns targeting donors.
- Created legacy society and non-cash giving focus in partnership with NCF
- Mentored Ukrainian staff and interns to help best understand unique audiences when crafting fundraising appeals considering the faith, political, and moral beliefs of various audiences.
Director of Development, Contract
Christianville Foundation
Gressier, Haiti
03.2013 - 10.2014
Church Planting Resident
G3 Church
Richmond, IN
10.2011 - 05.2013
Family Pastor
Bethany Christian Church
, VA
05.2010 - 10.2011
Education
- Preaching And Church Leadership
Johnson University
Knoxville, TN 08.2006 - 05.2010
Skills
Team leadership
Coaching and mentoring
Public speaking
Church Consulting
Adapt to diverse groups
Competitive analysis
Fundraising
Communications expertise
Affiliations
- Association of Fundraising Professionals
- Christian Stewardship Network
- National Eagle Scout Association, Indianapolis
- Yoga Alliance, RYT
Timeline
Partnerships Lead
FreeWill
11.2020 - Current
Consultant, Speaker
Financial Planning Ministry
09.2016 - 10.2022
Director of Development
Mission To Ukraine
08.2014 - 09.2016
Director of Development, Contract
Christianville Foundation
03.2013 - 10.2014
Church Planting Resident
G3 Church
10.2011 - 05.2013
Family Pastor
Bethany Christian Church
05.2010 - 10.2011
- Preaching And Church Leadership
Johnson University
08.2006 - 05.2010