Trailmark’s name recognizes that any social change actor — whether they be a philanthropist, advocacy professional, elected official, civil servant, or somebody else — is on a journey. That journey must be marked by signs you are on the right track, benchmarks to know how far you have gone, and maps to guide your future trek.
Tyler Fisher is the Principal of Trailmark Strategies. He works with philanthropists to direct capital to effective organizations aligned to clear and impactful theories of change. He works with advocates to craft strategy, improve operational practices, measure progress, and raise money.
Philanthropic Advising
I believe in the power of philanthropy to solve complex problems.
- Strategy — I help define grantmaking strategies;
- Diligence — I assess grantees and make funding recommendations;
- Evaluation — I evaluate the impact of grantees' programs;
- Operations — I advise philanthropies on how to operationalize their giving;
- Collaboration — I identify ways for philanthropists to work together and pool their funds.
I am eager to partner with principals, family foundations, or large institutions to maximize the impact of philanthropic resources.
Given my deep expertise in the U.S. democracy field ,I am particularly interested in advising principals in this area.
Operational Excellence
I believe in the potential of advocacy and nonprofit organizations.
- Strategy — I help executives think through the big picture;
- Partnerships — I help organizations forge new synergies;
- Fundraising — I support development professionals;
- Facilitation — I convene and facilitate important conversations;
- Operations — I advise organizations on how they operate
I am eager to work with nonprofits and advocacy organizations committed to making a difference. I am especially interested in working with organizations in the democracy, mental health, and housing sectors.
LET'S WORK TOGETHER
While I'm busy with current clients, I'm always looking for new opportunities at the intersection of where I can make a meaningful impact and find joy.
Contact me if you'd like to work together: Tyler@TylerFisher.Us
Philanthropic advising
I help philanthropists invest in the right ideas and people
Tyler advises philanthropic leaders on how to get the most leverage out of their capital. He helps philanthropists design strategies, vet grantees, evaluate impact, and collaborate with others. Specifically, Tyler can:
- Help philanthropists clarify the beliefs, values, and norms that will guide their investing;
- Define grantmaking giving priorities and strategies;
- Design and run processes to solicit and evaluate grant proposals;
- Surface effective organizations making an impact that may be worthy of investments;
- Liaise with grantees as a representative of a foundation or funder — including to add value through strategic advising and to hold grantees accountable for results;
- Evaluate the impact of a grant and/or an entire grantee portfolio;
- Advise principals on how they can learn from and collaborate with other philanthropists and pooled funds
Tyler previously served as a second employee of a successful pooled fund that advised hundreds of philanthropists and family foundations in the democracy reform sector. His relevant experience includes:
- Conducting due diligence and evaluating hundreds of grant proposals;
- Granting $150M+ to a large ecosystem of democracy reformers;
- Serving as a Program Officer for more than 100 grantees;
- Training colleagues on grantmaking philanthropists;
- Advising principals and foundations on new strategies;
- Summarizing the impact of grant portfolios;
- Creating strategies to guide investment decisions;
- Serving on two nonprofit boards, including as Board Chair;
- Supporting 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and PAC organizations;
- Retaining outside expertise to evaluate impact;
- Coordinating and convening grantees;
- Researching the power and structure of various pooled funds.
Social impact excellence
I help organization leaders run effective teams and programs
Tyler is looking to advise nonprofit and advocacy leaders on how they can maximize their impact. He can help executives hone strategies, forge new partnerships, raise money, facilitate important conversations, and structure their teams. Specifically, Tyler can:
- Design, run, and participate in strategic planning processes;
- Collaborate with fundraising professionals to craft development plans and priorities;
- Facilitate important conversations, like staff retreats or board working groups;
- Work with senior executives to improve their programs;
- Support Planning, Measurement, Evaluation, and Learning (PMEL) efforts
- Advise on how to operate organizations more effectively;
- Think through how to structure org charts and clarify team responsibilities;
- Stand up programmatic functions, partnerships, or initiatives that do not exist today.
Relevant experience includes:
- Scaling a 2-person, $500k/yr organization to a 40 person $70M+ enterprise;
- Leading and participating in multiple strategic planning processes;
- Coaching and advising hundreds of CEOs and Program Leaders on strategy as a grantmaker;
- Crafting donor-facing communications including pitch decks, grant proposals, and memos;
- Standing up and running countless advocacy and nonprofit programs;
- Convening coalition tables virtually and in-person to drive alignment and boost trust;
- Briefing elected officials, donors, partners, media, and civic leaders on public policy;
- Recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and managing 20+ staff members and vendors;
- Acting as Board Secretary alongside Elected Officials, Entrepreneurs, and Philanthropists;
- Serving on two nonprofit boards and helping two family foundations with their founding;
- Standing up a Planning, Measurement, Evaluation, and Learning framework;
- Commissioning research from university-based scholars and think tanks;
- Author of six white papers on a broad range of democracy reform ideas.
Issue Areas
