About
I didn't set out to become a fundraising consultant.
I started in international work, including time connected to the United Nations, where the focus was on building programs that worked in real-world conditions. Over time, that led into fundraising — because even the strongest programs need the right support to grow.
What I've seen over and over is this: good organizations struggle to fund their work, not because the mission isn't strong, but because the path to funding isn't clear. The message is off, the data is scattered, or the same small group of supporters is being asked again and again.
That's the work I've stepped into for more than 25 years.
Michael J. Barton
Founder, MJB Strategy
Experience that translates
I've worked across a wide range of organizations — from large global institutions to small, founder-led nonprofits.
That includes work connected to the United Nations, roles with organizations like UNICEF USA and the Epilepsy Foundation, and hands-on support for smaller teams like the Susan B. Anthony Center. I've also worked on entrepreneurial and development efforts in West Africa through the Daniel Suter Foundation, and supported an English-language education startup, IWLE, in its early growth phase.
Different settings. Same core challenge: how to turn a strong idea into something that can be consistently funded.
"He dramatically increased funds raised and was instrumental in increasing our non-governmental revenue and lowering our reliance on government funding."Karen Basha Egozi · CEO, Epilepsy Foundation of Florida
"Michael is an outstanding relationship builder. By achieving his goals with donors, he was able to close significant gifts toward research for the Foundation."Ida Benson · Regional Director of Individual Giving, Epilepsy Foundation
"He has repeatedly shown a superior capacity to get the job done and go above and beyond."Denise J. · BAM Board President, Boca Raton Museum of Art
"His talent for capturing our core messages transformed our campaigns, making them deeply resonant with our community."Rachel Waugh · Communications Manager, Pine Crest School
How I approach the work
I don't come in with a template.
The focus is on understanding where things stand, what's realistic, and what can move forward now. That usually means clarifying what funding will support, making sense of donor and prospect information, and identifying missed opportunities — especially in existing relationships.
And then doing the work. Not a long report. Not a plan that sits on a shelf. Something that can be used.
"Michael's successful solicitation of a $100,000 grant helped us hire our first employee and expand our reach. His ideas were always on point and solution-oriented."Christina D. · IWLE
The philosophy underneath the work
Most organizations fundraise transactionally — they ask when they need something and go quiet until the next need. Donors feel it. They give once and drift. The ask always lands a little cold because there's no relationship to land inside.
The shift this practice is built around is moving from chasing gifts to building the kind of relationships that make giving feel natural. That means being in genuine contact with donors throughout the year — not just when you need something. It means someone inside your organization actually knows your best donors as people, not entries in a spreadsheet. And it means the ask, when it comes, lands inside an existing relationship instead of out of nowhere.
This isn't a radical idea. It's just not as common in practice as it should be. Most small nonprofits know they should be doing it. Very few have a system that makes it actually happen consistently.
"He quickly assesses complicated situations and strategically plans ways to work through them. He is an accomplished spokesperson and negotiator with integrity and unusual tenacity."Brigitte K. · Regional Director for the Middle East, Humanitarian Leadership Academy
Why this work
Over time, I kept stepping into the same situation.
Organizations with good people and meaningful work, but no clear path to grow their funding. That pattern is what led me to focus fully on this. Now, through MJB Strategy, I help organizations move out of that cycle and build something more stable and sustainable.
No pitch, no pressure — just tell me where things feel stuck.