profileimage

John B. Savage, EMBA, is a seasoned consultant and coach. For over thirty years, his big ideas have been helping nonprofits develop the organizational health, capacity, and capital they need to make the world a better place. John’s creative solutions have benefited agencies from entrepreneurial startups to organizations celebrating their hundredth anniversaries.

John is most often retained to help clients grow their revenue, build their board, and transition through changes in leadership. He can be found teaching fundraising, leadership, stewardship and board development at various national conferences and events throughout North America, including Christian Leadership Alliance, Council of Christian Colleges and Universities, Association of Gospel Rescue Mission, Association of Biblical Higher Education, Christian Camping and Conference Association,  and the Association of Christian Schools International, among others.

John is an avid sailor and outdoorsman often found enjoying new ports and people wherever his travels take him!

JOHN’S ROLES:

  • Teacher
  • Leadership coach
  • Revenue revivalist
  • Organizational strategist
  • Partner in board development and board retreats

JOHN’S SERVICES:

  • Create and cast vision
  • Develop and fund strategic plans, capital campaigns, and new program initiatives
  • Coach boards and executive leadership to greater effectiveness and mission alignment
  • Provide interim executive CEO and CDO leadership during critical transitions

TYPES OF NONPROFITS SERVED:

  • Private schools
  • Foster care agencies
  • Rescue missions
  • Large and small church boards
  • Family and church foundations
  • Camps
  • Overseas ministries
  • Hospitals
  • Inner-city agencies serving the poor
  • Museums
  • Colleges
  • Family businesses
  • And more

EDUCATION:

  • B.S. in Physics from Denison University (minor in Latin American Studies)
  • Executive MBA from Pepperdine University

EXPERIENCE:

  • VP for Development, Union Rescue Mission, Los Angeles, CA
  • Chair, United Way’s Hispanic Leadership Institute
  • Produced a mentor/protege audio training program and a stewardship audio training program
  • Host, Leadership Lifestyles, a daily radio program in Seattle, WA
  • Teaching faculty, City Vision College
  • Independent Study Advisor in Leadership, Bakke Graduate University
  • Planning Commissioner, City of Des Moines, WA
  • Chair, Board of Des Moines Creek Classical Cristian Academy, Des Moines, WA

PUBLICATIONS:

  • National columnist and contributor, InSite Magazine
  • National columnist and contributor, Church Executive Magazine
  • National columnist and contributor, Planned Giving Today
  • Publisher, Boardwise, a bi-monthly newsletter on stewardship and leadership for board members of Christian ministries

ENDORSEMENTS:

  • “John has been a Godsend for me and our ministry. He is insightful, keeping us focused, yet flexible. He is desirous of helping us achieve not just our organizational goals, but goals that match our giftedness. On top of this, he has been available, always returns calls, keeps us informed, and is sacrificial with his time…I highly recommend John Savage.”
    Mark Hamby, President, Lamplighter Ministries, Waverly, PA
  • “I have known John professionally for about 15 years and hired him as a planned giving consultant for Union Gospel Mission, when I was the Director of Development. John provided excellent advice and service to UGM in every aspect of planned giving. He helped us launch and build our planned giving program from its infancy, teaching and training us along the way. I learned a lot from John. His style is comfortable and engaging and he is a great listener and thinker. John’s knowledge and experience in the area of planned giving, and development in general, would make him an excellent consultant for any organization considering his services.”
    Jenny Printz, Mission Increase, Seattle, WA
  • “John Savage is a remarkably kind and helpful Advisor. In addition to his campaign counsel, he helped us improve our care for ourselves and our donors. That was very beneficial. And we thank God for his advice.”
    Debra Anderson, Vice President, Development Bay Area Rescue Mission, Richmond, CA
  • “John Savage has motivated my staff and I through his God inspired knowledge and wisdom to help us carry on Christ’s work at the Downtown Rescue Mission. He dedicates himself to advise, teach and help your ministry to be the best that it can be. He has been a key asset for us with board development, capital funding and with our executive leadership transition. I would recommend John to any ministry or business that is looking to develop and train their leadership staff and Board of Directors, raise capital funding and grow their ministry.”
    Keith Overholt, President/CEO, Downtown Rescue Mission, Huntsville, AL
Latest posts by The Savage Group (see all)