Meet Marc, Fundraising Expert & Board and Leadership Development Coach
Marc has trained and inspired over 25,000 nonprofit leaders across North America, Europe, Mexico, and New Zealand. He has personally coached hundreds of executive directors, development staff, and board chairs, and through his programs and certifications, his influence has reached tens of thousands more. His practical, energizing style has made him a go-to resource for boards who want fundraising to feel less like begging and more like building meaningful partnerships.
He is the author of the best-selling book Ask Without Fear!®, translated into Dutch, Polish, Spanish, and Mandarin, and his most recent work, The Surprising Gift of Doubt, helps leaders harness uncertainty as a tool for growth. Marc’s expertise has been featured in Success magazine, Real Simple, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, and on NBC, Fox News, and Al Jazeera.
Known by many as the “Johnny Appleseed of fundraising,” Marc combines humor, deep nonprofit knowledge, and a contagious enthusiasm that helps boards and staff actually enjoy fundraising. He also serves as Executive Director of The Nonprofit Academy, offering affordable CFRE-accredited training to nonprofit professionals worldwide.
Marc lives in South Carolina with his wife and is the proud dad of three grown kids. A craft beer enthusiast, he can often be found experimenting with brewing his own creations.
Some of Marc’s Books
Memberships & Affiliations
"If you ever have the opportunity to sit in the audience and learn from Marc, you should do whatever you can to get a seat at that table. I can say, without a doubt, his wisdom and simple to follow strategies have been instrumental in helping my organization honor its mission. Marc's presence as the keynote speaker was the leveraging chip I used to convince my boss that I should attend a conference and it was worth it - times a million. Follow Marc's blog, read his book, hear him speak, collaborate with him on a project, order his new video for your board - whatever you can do to bring more Marc A. Pitman and that iconic red bowtie into your organization. It will be an investment with dividends that will continue to grow throughout a lifetime."
Education & Affiliations
- CSP, Certified Speaking Professional, National Speakers Association
- Exactly What to Say® Certified Guide
- Certified Franklin Covey Coach, Franklin Covey Coaching
- Certified Highlands Abilities Battery Provider, The Highlands Company
- MA in Organizational Leadership, School of Leadership Studies, Regent University
- Biblical Studies, Jerusalem University College
- BA in History and Religion, Gordon College (MA)
- Diploma, Milton Academy (MA)
- Advisory Panel Member for Rogare: The Fundraising Think Tank of the Centre for Sustainable Philanthropy at Plymouth University
- Fundraising Expert for Blackbaud’s K-12 Division
- Board of Advisors for Pennybridge
- Global Fundraising Advisor for Twestival
- Instructor, University of Southern Maine Professional & Continuing Education
- Former Adjunct Instructor for “MK337: Marketing on the Internet” at Thomas College
- Former General Assembly Member of the Kennebec Regional Development Authority
- Member, International Coach Federation
- Past President, International Coaching Federation, South Carolina Chapter
- Member, International Enneagram Association
- Founding Member, International Association of Coaches
- Former Secretary of the Board, United Way of Mid-Maine
- Former VP for Networking & Outreach, New England Association of Healthcare Philanthropy
- Former Treasurer on the Board of Directors for the Advancement Program Council
- Former Trustee for the Lewiston Public Library
- Former Chair, Club Administration, Waterville Rotary Club
The Jewish National Fund of Canada
American College of Surgeons’ Leadership & Advocacy Summit
The Maine Public Broadcasting System
The Joint Commission’s Center for Transforming Healthcare
Georgetown University
KLOVE-AIR1 Radio
Islamic Relief USA
the World Fundraising Forum in Monterrey, Mexico
NCDC Leadership Summit
National Catholic Development Conference (multiple years)
Tov V’Hesed
Sharut Ha’Din
BlogWorld Expo
In Defense of Animals
Habitat for Humanity International
Israel Air Force Center Foundation’s Leadership Retreat
Special Olympics South Carolina (multiple years)
The Tonic Conference in New Zealand
The American Subcontractors Association
Catholic Charities USA
University of Southern Maine Development Symposium
Community Health Plan of Seattle
Indiana Grantmakers Alliance
Utah Society for Fund Raisers
PodCamp Boston 5
Association of Fundraising Professionals
Association of Fundraising Professionals – New Jersey
Association of Fundraising Professionals – San Antonio
Association of Fundraising Professionals Summer Institute – Charleston, SC
American Marketing Association’s Nonprofit Marketing Conference
American Marketing Association – Puget Sound
Oral Roberts University
Kansas Main Street (Kansas Department of Commerce)
Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools
Alabama Spay/Neuter Clinic
Maine’s Blaine House Conference on Volunteerism
Maine Library Association
Waterville Public Library
Border’s Bookstore – Bangor
Autism Society of Maine
Central Maine Community College
New England Association of Healthcare Philanthropy (multiple years)
Blackbaud’s Conference for Nonprofits (multiple years)
Blackbaud’s Canadian Conference for Nonprofits
Advancement Program Council (multiple years)
CASE/NAIS Independent Schools Conference