Michael L. Alava-Londono, CFRE
Principal & Founder, NPI Strategies
Michael L. Alava-Londono, CFRE, leads NPI Strategies — a firm he founded on a principle he still holds: nonprofits deserve senior-level fundraising expertise without the overhead of a full-time hire. Across three decades in the sector, his work has helped raise over $175 million for more than 240 organizations.
His practice covers the full arc of philanthropic revenue — capital campaigns, major donor cultivation, board engagement, and complex grant management including federal, state, and UN-related funding streams. He works directly with executive directors, development staff, and boards, and is often brought in when an organization needs both the strategy and the person who can execute it.
The lens that shapes his practice is concentration risk. Over the last year he has reviewed donor files where two people gave more than 60 percent of individual revenue — organizations one phone call away from a funding problem in any tax environment, under any administration. The work, as he frames it, is helping executive directors and boards build a funding base that can absorb a bad year, a policy shift, or a departing major donor without cutting programs.
- 30+
- Years in nonprofit fundraising
- $175M+
- Raised for clients
- 240+
- Nonprofit engagements
- 27:1
- Average ROI on government grants
Expertise
Where Michael does his best work.
Major Gifts & Campaigns
Fundraising assessments, quiet-phase strategy, and full campaign execution for organizations raising seven and eight figures. Experienced advisor to campaign committees and boards.
Major Donor & Board Engagement
Identifying, cultivating, and closing principal gifts. Works directly with boards to build the culture of giving that sustains campaigns long after the consultant leaves.
Grant Management
Private foundation, federal, state, and UN-related funding streams. Manages full grant cycles from prospect research through compliance reporting.
Fundraising Assessments
Honest, data-driven audits of development operations — capacity, donor pipeline, staff structure, and revenue mix — with a prioritized roadmap to close the gap.
International Funding
Navigating multilateral and bilateral funding channels, including UN agencies and international foundations, for organizations with global program scope.
Strategic Planning
Facilitating multi-year organizational and development plans that connect program ambition to realistic revenue projections and the staffing models to deliver them.
Career
Thirty years of senior-level practice.
2022 – Present
Principal
NPI Strategies, LLC
Provides strategic thought leadership to nonprofit clients and partners, ensuring services align with clients’ strategic vision while advancing NPI’s mission. Leads the firm with a focus on cultivating a culture of impact and integrity and on advancing the capacity of under-resourced nonprofits through innovative strategies and partnerships.
2014 – 2022
President
NPI Strategies, LLC
Partnered with the leadership team to deliver fundraising services tailored to nonprofit clients. Supported lead consultants on prospect research and development process optimization, oversaw firm operations, and coordinated a network of 130+ expert consultants to ensure seamless service delivery.
2011 – 2014
Chief Development Officer
Emmaüs International
Structured and streamlined development operations and implemented a comprehensive Development Plan to drive growth. Built a culture of philanthropy across the organization and created sustainable fundraising strategies to expand its global reach.
2009 – 2011
Director of Development & Communications
The Orthodox Church in America
Oversaw revenue growth for the Monastic Communities of New Skete’s for-profit initiatives while expanding philanthropic efforts through high-net-worth donor cultivation. Chaired the Committee for Social Media and led brand-marketing initiatives for New Skete Farms.
2008 – 2009
Program Officer (Jesuit Volunteer Corps)
The New Hope Project
Served as a Program Officer in a transitional, job-based workforce-development program for low-income participants. Guided clients into permanent employment within an average of eight months with an 80% success rate across nationally funded initiatives.
Full career history available on LinkedIn.
Credentials
Earned, not implied.
Designation
CFRE
Certified Fund Raising Executive — the only globally recognized credential for fundraising professionals, awarded by CFRE International. Requires demonstrated performance in fundraising, continuing education, and adherence to a code of ethics.
Education
University of South Carolina
MA, Philosophy (2008); BA, Communications & Classical Rhetorical Theory (2004). Additional coursework in Fundraising at NYU School of Professional Studies (2016) and a summer study program at the University of Cambridge.
Work with Michael
Thirty years of expertise.
One call to start.
A no-pitch, 30-minute conversation about what your organization is trying to raise and whether NPI Strategies is the right fit.
Book a call with Michael