Tom Bishop, Media and Nonprofit Professional, Joins Charitable Words

Tom Bishop, an experienced media, public policy and nonprofit professional, has joined Charitable Words as Director of Development.

Tom Bishop

Bishop is the owner and principal at NPOforge, a consultancy for nonprofits in the areas of strategic change, development, technology, administration and social enterprise. Bishop brings with him more than a quarter century of experience in nonprofit operations and twenty-plus years of nonprofit board leadership. He has an extensive background in the strategic administration and management of charitable organizations with a special emphasis in education and the arts and he has led organizations through periods of dynamic change, helping them come out the other side stronger, smarter and better able to meet the needs of their mission.

He will be responsible for building the capacity of the Charitable Words Scholars fund, which connects students and recent graduates with nonprofits to help them “shape and share” stories about the important work they do in their communities. Since 2012, more than 40 scholars have been assigned to more than 20 nonprofits, primarily in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. The scholars’s experiences – and outcomes for nonprofit partners – are enriched by the engagement of Charitable Words’ network of pro bono professional advisors.

Charitable Words Scholars’ assignments have included web site development and design, media and awareness strategies, photography and video, mission statements and crowdfunding campaigns.

Bishop has been the recipient of the Buske Leadership Award for his service to the Alliance for Community Media. As chair of the Alliance’s national board he guided the organization through a period of public policy attack at the national and state level while also transforming the board culture to one of policy governance and servant leadership. Bishop has also received the Martin Luther King Jr. Day award for preservation of the fourth estate for his public policy work in defending community access channels from devastating legislation at the state level.

“Charitable Words is fortunate to have Tom on board,” said founder and executive director Tom Callinan. “He brings impressive credentials in the media and nonprofit world, as well as a wealth of contacts in the community. He is a leader – a known quantity for this startup social enterprise.

“While Tom’s primary responsibility will be development, he will be a wonderful mentor to and resource for the scholars.”

A sought-after speaker, Bishop has been invited to speak to regional and national groups on the topics of nonprofit startups, policy governance, strategic planning, development, social enterprise and advocacy.

A graduate of Miami University, Bishop holds degrees in Mass Communication, emphasis in Audio/Video Production & Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication, emphasis in Public Relations & Communication Theory.

“It is such a pleasure to serve an organization like Charitable Words, where we leverage and magnify the missions of nonprofits through the strategic use of modern storytelling,” Bishop said.

Bishop’s first priority will be to develop a base of supporters for a current Charitable Words Scholars project in which students from Northern Kentucky University’s College of Informatics will produce a multimedia and video documentary for Wordplay, a Cincinnati nonprofit that provides free tutoring, literacy and creative writing programs for students K-12.

For information on sponsorships of Charitable Words Scholars projects, contact tom@npoforge.com

Welcome to the team, Tom! And thanks to all who support Charitable Words Scholars and the important work they do.

– Tom Callinan

Please spread the charitable words by clicking on the social media buttons below.

Thank you!