The Maverick Philanthropist

Michael Chatman is a human sparkplug. He’s founder of Celebrity Philanthropy Agency, author of The Next Celebrity Humanitarian (the most popular, free downloadable e-book on philanthropy available on the internet) and President of the Association of Maverick Philanthropists. As a top requested speaker, Michael inspires thousands of audience members each year to have their the souls seared by their philanthropy and to make strategic charitable investments.

If you are looking for a speaker who is “high content” and “high energy,” Michael Chatman fits the bill. Part philanthropist, part humorist and part entrepreneur, Michael makes philanthropy and entrepreneurship come together likes peas in a pod.
Voted one of the most influential figures in new philanthropy, Michael commands attention – and delivers clear take-home-value – to CEO’s, Senior-Level staff of Charitable Giving Fund companies, Principals of Private Foundations, Executive Directors, Donors (small, middle and large), Philanthropists and Social Entrepreneurs committed to philanthropy and strategic charitable investments.
When you invite a maverick philanthropist like Michael for your event, he won’t:

• Read boring power point slides to the audience;
• Act like a prima donna before, during or after your event;
• Display charts or project slides with 10-point font and expect the audience to see it;
• Insult your audience or their intelligence.

Here’s what Michael will do (and has consistently done for audiences around the country for fifteen years):

• Tell the truth about what it takes to have philanthropic impact (And when the truth is hard to hear, he’ll make your audience laugh.)
• Make data sizzle. Michael knows that executives love numbers, but he takes it a step further and animates the research with stories, humor and insight about how members of the Association of Maverick Philanthropists make that data come to life;
• Have fun, and help your attendees see their strengths as the beneficiaries of their giving sees them; and
• Invest more time after the presentation with the key decision makers who can bring about change. In this smaller, more intimate meeting, Michael welcomes a candid discussion where key officials can ask the tough questions, and he can offer more specific advice and counsel.

Michael’s message and speaking style is not for everyone. If you have uptight, adverse to change participants, who can’t laugh, and aren’t receptive to new ideas resulting in a more strategic approach to philanthropy, please stop reading now and google “speakers who make us feel good about the status quo.”

Speaking fee varies depending on location, date and audience. Please contact Sandy at: sandy@michaelchatman.com to get a quote for your event.

60 Seconds with Michael Chatman

Michael’s Top Five Talents: Encourager, Implementer, Energetic, Learner, Charisma

The last great book I read: The Art of Giving by Charles Bronfman & Jeffrey Solomon

My favorite meal: I love to cook organic meals with ingredients from Whole Foods Market, and share with people I love. My favorite meal comes from my own kitchen.

If I had an extra 5 hours every week: I would rest more, but if I were caught up on rest, I would spend more time with family and friends.

My favorite city: Miami because its home: family, friends, organic restaurants, diversity, close to Ft Lauderdale and Naples, lots of exciting places to visit and interesting people from all walks of life to get to know. Although, I must say, I really like Raleigh, NC, Austin TX and San Diego, CA.

CNN refers to you as the maverick philanthropist. Do you have any idea why and how did the brand stick with the media? Well, I’m a graduate school drop out who leveraged a certificate from Harvard Business School and went on to make a mark in the philanthropic community. CNN sees me as being unconventional in that I don’t meet the typical stereotype of your traditional philanthropist.
I’m not rich, I wear t-shirts, jeans and flip-flops to work, sport an earring; have kinky-curly hair, buy my clothes at Target, drive a 1999 Honda Civic with 97,000 miles, did not come from the “money establishment” or fit the profile of high-society humanitarian families like the Rockefellers, never donated more than $50,000 annually; not a butt-kisser or boot licker. I’m just a regular guy from a blue-collar background with a passion for socially investing dollars towards causes I deeply care about.

The Association of Maverick Philanthropists is a leading organization within the New Philanthropy movement. Why is this organization gaining so much attention? The New Philanthropist is tired of doing philanthropy the old traditional way. Maverick Philanthropists, also referred to as New Philanthropists, are apart of a growing network of think outside-the-box middle donors with major social impact. They are willing to make risk-taking social investments, grants and contributions – and they are credited with donating more funds to charities than any other group of donors. They are not into sponsoring your typical run-of-the-mill chicken dinners, receiving meaningless plagues and certificates at overdone banquets and galas. They invest in forward-thinking social enterprises, charitable causes and organizations having real impact.

What do you like about your job? Working with smart people who are willing to think differently and of course, working with simple, down-to-earth people who are not stuck on themselves or self-inflate their own egos because they happen to have a little more money than someone else.

What energizes you? I am energized by life-changing ideas that can have a lasting and positive impact – and the thinkers who not only create these ideas; but they have enough courage to act on these ideas.

My Favorite quote: “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” – Grandma