About

Nonprofit Development Strategist & Executive Leader

Michael A. Thompson is a Chief Development Officer and nonprofit development strategist with more than two decades of experience helping mission-driven organizations grow their impact by building philanthropic revenue systems and cross-sector partnerships.

Over the course of his career, Michael has helped organizations influence more than $55 million in philanthropic and public funding through major gifts, corporate partnerships, capital campaigns, and legislative appropriations. He has worked closely with CEOs, executive leadership teams, and governing boards to strengthen donor engagement, build development infrastructure, and align fundraising strategy with long-term organizational growth.

His experience spans behavioral health, education, workforce development, and community-based initiatives. In both leadership and advisory roles, Michael has helped organizations modernize development operations, diversify revenue streams, and expand partnerships that support long-term financial sustainability.

Michael is the founder of Fortified Strategies, where he advises nonprofit leaders on development infrastructure, partnership strategy, and revenue diversification. His work frequently involves building partnerships among nonprofit organizations, corporate partners, philanthropic investors, and public-sector stakeholders to unlock new funding opportunities and scale mission impact.

Earlier in his career, Michael served in senior leadership roles with the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, where he supported major fundraising initiatives, managed a multimillion-dollar donor portfolio, and helped secure more than $2.6 million in recurring state appropriations supporting national literacy initiatives.