EXPERIENCE
NYC Fundraising Consultant Mike Esposito Drives Growth
Mike Esposito, CFRE is a NYC fundraising consultant who has raised tens of millions of dollars from individuals, corporations, and foundations during nearly a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector. His expertise includes ethical fundraising, strategic donor engagement, and innovative campaign development.
Mike has held leadership roles at a boutique consulting agency and at renowned nonprofit organizations such as Echoing Green and Waterkeeper Alliance. He has worked with dozens of nonprofit organizations across the United States and abroad, providing tailored strategies to enhance their fundraising efforts.
Proud to Have Supported
Mike is a fundraising consultant, mentor, and coach passionate about helping small to midsize nonprofits build authentic donor relationships. He listens carefully to each organization’s unique needs, working side by side with them to offer personalized support and innovative strategies that make fundraising more effective and rewarding. With his CFRE certification, Mike brings both expertise and heart to his work, making sure nonprofits can thrive.
He has extensive experience conducting feasibility studies and developing strategies for comprehensive and capital campaigns. This expertise helps nonprofits assess their readiness and lay the foundation for successful campaigns. He has guided organizations through pre-campaign planning, donor engagement, and goal-setting, ensuring they have the tools and insights to achieve transformational results.
Client Testimonials
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![Maia Blankenship headshot]()
"Working with Mike was the key to moving our individual giving campaign from vision and a plan to reality. He drafted language and content that made our outreach both relevant and timely, while ensuring the series of messages connected to a specific grant program people would care about. As a result, we have raised nearly $60,000, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the positive response to our outreach. Mike is a fantastic accountability partner who will jump into the project and build it with you. Having him as a thought partner has given me both confidence and an additional boost in deliverable production that I needed to ensure our team could close out the calendar year strong."
Maia Blankenship, Co-CEO of Black Wildflowers Fund
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![Shawon Jackson headshot]()
"Mike was an excellent advisor to me during one of the most challenging times for my nonprofit startup. He listened empathetically as I shared my concerns and offered thoughtful, tailored suggestions. He then produced a list of prospective supporters for my organization, and suggested strategies on how to engage each individual. The results were remarkable. Without question, my nonprofit is in a better place because of Mike, and so am I. "
Shawon Jackson, Founder and Executive Director of Vocal Justice
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![Shanita Perdomo headshot]()
“After a few meaningful and strategic conversations, Mike created a fundraising assessment that was easy to understand and execute. This document is a motivation for our board members, corporate partnership interns, development interns, and grant writers. I truly admire Mike for his ability to gently push a startup nonprofit to position itself as a business doing business and not a charity asking for money. With Mike's help, I have undergone a mindset shift about fundraising and have immediately started to see the fruit of his support!"
Shanita Perdomo, Founder and Executive Director of Yes, M.I.S.S.
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![Denny Stypulkowski headshot]()
“Mike’s approach was both strategic and practical, prioritizing efficiency and crafting a plan that our micro team of staff and volunteers could execute. The plan was broken down into tangible, monthly action items tailored to fit within our organization’s limited capacity while remaining flexible enough to allow for customization. Working with Mike was an absolute pleasure—he was highly receptive to learning about our organization, ensuring that his recommendations aligned with our existing community and culture. His collaborative spirit, coaching, and support were invaluable in aligning the plan with our unique needs and goals.”
— Denny Stypulkowski, Co-founder and Executive Director of ParaCliffHangers
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![Keeisi Caballero headshot]()
“I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Mike Esposito during the 2024 Common Future accelerator program, where he delivered an insightful seminar on fundraising strategies and participated as a mentor for the cohort. Mike stands out not only for his in-depth knowledge of fundraising but also for his responsiveness and willingness to support others. His approachable demeanor and ability to simplify complex concepts make him an invaluable mentor to any team or program focused on understanding the fundraising landscape and preparing to fundraise.”
— Keeisi Caballero, MS, MBA, Manager of Strategic Impact Initiatives at Common Future
Mike serves on the Board of Directors and as Chair of the Fundraising Committee at ParaCliffHangers, where he is dedicated to advancing the organization’s mission of making climbing accessible to individuals with disabilities.
As Co-Chair of the Emerging Leaders Committee within AFP- NYC, Mike enjoys planning meaningful events that help other fundraisers grow in their careers. He also serves as the Sponsorship Chair of AFP- NYC Fundraising Day, leading sponsorship efforts for America’s largest one-day philanthropy conference. Mike loves bringing people together to make a lasting impact through fundraising.
Mike earned degrees in Urban Studies and Economics from Fordham University in NYC, but grew up across the river in New Jersey. He discovered philanthropy during visits to his grandmother in Massachusetts, where they spent mornings volunteering at food pantries and nonprofit thrift stores. Today, those early lessons fuel his work as a fundraising consultant, helping nonprofits amplify their impact in communities across the country.
