Background

Tony

We all feel called to make a difference – as individuals and through organizations and businesses.  We see opportunities for a better world.  We act.  We give.  We persuade others to get involved.  Slowly and surely, lives and places are transformed.   The transformation inspires us to do more and the cycle repeats.

It seems so simple, and sometimes it is and should be.  More often, that simple start grows into a call for longer-term, thoughtful, collective action.

That’s where I love getting involved – helping define, plan, launch, and evaluate roadmaps for philanthropy and community improvement. 

I’ve been fortunate to build 20 years of experience integrating grantmaking, fundraising, public policy, communications, stakeholder management, and project management  skills.  The results include:

  • Customer-focused and results-driven community initiatives and grants programs – through developing, managing, and evaluating such efforts on behalf of foundations and government agencies
  • More focused, compelling community services – through assisting nonprofits with planning, evaluation, donor engagement, and accountability strategies
  • $19+ million of new charitable resources – through helping donors, businesses, and their advisors establish charitable giving tools and programs
  • More meaningful, effective giving – through advising a portfolio of 100+ donors on mission development, community research, proposal and grant evaluation, site visits, and family philanthropy activities

Tony and city councillor

 

Content Areas

I’ve advanced community agendas in the areas of:  community-economic development and placemaking,  community planning, civic engagement, family self-sufficiency, homelessness prevention, youth development, arts and cultural development, education and libraries, and information technology.

Professional Affiliations

I am a board member of Grassroots Grantmakers and a member of the American Evaluation Association.  I am a member of the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning and in any interaction with donors, I follow the Model Standards of Practice for the Charitable Gift Planner and the Donor Bill of Rights.  

Click here for additional background.

“Tony is very strong at both a strategic and tactical level.  He is a very effective communicator and convener, with great experience in creating and managing collaborations.  His strength in understanding the relationships between organizations and key players was of tremendous value time and again.  His intellect underlies both his professionalism and a marvelous sense of humor.” – Rip Taggart, former Executive Director, TechPoint Foundation 

 

“Tony is very respected among colleagues for his insights into ‘how things work’ – he understands the nuances of the charitable giving environment and of how to effect change in communities.  Always upbeat, he believes all things are possible and provides the strategic insights to make it happen. And, he’s also just plain delightful to partner with!” – Myra S. Cocca, APR, founder of IronStrike