Meet David Strong
Small nonprofits do big work. Your fundraising strategy should match.
About David Strong
I've spent the better part of 25 years doing the unglamorous, essential work of keeping small nonprofits alive and moving forward. I've sat on boards, led organizations, raised money in lean years, navigated leadership transitions, and walked alongside communities that don't always get the support they deserve — communities affected by HIV/AIDS, mental illness, housing instability, and LGBTQ+ inequity.
That experience is the foundation of everything I do at DS253.
I'm not a consultant who parachutes in with a framework and leaves. I show up as a partner — someone who understands the pressure you're under, respects the mission you're carrying, and helps you build something that actually works in the real world.
I'm also a pastor and bishop, which shapes how I work. I lead with listening. I pay attention to culture, not just operations. And I take seriously the human beings behind every organizational challenge.
Who I Work With
I work primarily with small nonprofits and faith communities — organizations under $1M that are doing meaningful work but haven't yet built the infrastructure to sustain it.
My clients are often:
Executive directors wearing too many hats
Boards trying to get more organized and more engaged
Organizations in transition, recovery, or early growth
Faith communities navigating both spiritual and operational challenges
Artists, vendors, and creative entrepreneurs building something of their own
If your organization is under-resourced but over-committed to its mission, you're exactly who I built this practice for.
What I Bring
25+ years of community-based nonprofit leadership
Board experience at organizations including TACIT, the Labor Project, and Lavender Rights Project
Deep roots in Tacoma and the South Sound
A practical, no-jargon approach to fundraising, strategy, and governance
Pastoral awareness — attention to people, culture, and what's really going on beneath the surface
