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How We're Built
53
years of
community trust
5,719
nonprofits represented
37,500
mission-driven employees in
our network
$4.15B
in annual charitable impact catalyzed
1st
AI-first community foundation in the United States
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"Real change scales through networks, not just assets."
Michael Chatman has more than twenty years of leadership in philanthropy, social innovation, and civic engagement. As President & CEO of Charitable Community Foundation, he led a long-standing institution through a rare transformation. It became a lean, AI-enabled organization where human leaders make every decision, supported by purpose-built AI systems that handle research, drafting, analysis, and coordination.
He trained at Harvard in Social Entrepreneurship and AI for Business. He speaks from lived experience, not theory, and audiences leave with a clear picture of what AI can and should do for mission-driven organizations, and what it never should.
Flexible Formats. Meaningful Conversations.
Bring Michael’s Experience
to Your Audience
From keynote presentations and fireside chats to interactive workshops, board retreats, panel discussions, and virtual events, Michael offers flexible speaking formats designed to meet the needs of each audience. Whether the goal is to inspire, challenge perspectives, strengthen leadership, or spark meaningful conversations, every engagement is grounded in more than five decades of community leadership and philanthropic experience.
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Bring Michael’s Experience to Your Audience
From keynote presentations and fireside chats to interactive workshops, board retreats, panel discussions, and virtual events, Michael offers flexible speaking formats designed to meet the needs of each audience. Whether the goal is to inspire, challenge perspectives, strengthen leadership, or spark meaningful conversations, every engagement is grounded in more than five decades of community leadership and philanthropic experience.
Where Leadership Meets Purpose
Michael speaks to organizations and audiences across the nonprofit, philanthropic, corporate, civic, and academic sectors. His insights are especially relevant for nonprofit conferences and associations, community and private foundations, boards of directors, chambers of commerce and civic groups, corporate social responsibility teams, universities, and philanthropy and fundraising professionals seeking practical ideas for stronger leadership, collaboration, innovation, and community impact.
The Rooms Michael Convenes
Every year, Michael brings Southwest Florida's nonprofit leadership together under one roof. These are the region's signature gatherings for the executives, board members, and funders who drive a network of 5,719 nonprofits. He doesn't just speak to this sector. He convenes it.
State of Nonprofit Leadership Address
Fort Myers, FL · 2025
Michael's annual address to 350 leaders on the forces reshaping the sector: leadership, governance, funding, and the rise of AI in mission-driven work.
Impact 50 &
Governance Honor Roll
Fort Myers, FL · 2025
The region's definitive recognition of its 50 most influential charitable leaders and top 10 nonprofit boards.
Board Leadership Awards
Fort Myers, FL · 2025
A morning honoring the volunteer board members whose governance and stewardship strengthen Southwest Florida's nonprofits.
ENPYS Awards
Fort Myers, FL ·
9 years and counting
Southwest Florida's longest-running celebration of nonprofit performance, marking its 10th year on December 9, 2026.
Signature Talks
Each talk can be tailored to your audience, time slot, and event theme.
tALK 1
The AI-First Nonprofit: Lessons from Rebuilding a 53-Year-Old Foundation
A candid look at what happened when a traditional community foundation reorganized around AI: what worked, what didn't, and what stayed firmly in human hands. Attendees leave with a practical framework for deciding where AI belongs in their own organization.
tALK 2
Networks, Not Just Assets: The Abundance Model for Community Impact
Most organizations measure strength by what they own. Michael makes the case for measuring it by who you represent and connect. This talk gives leaders a new lens for partnerships, visibility, and regional influence.
tALK 3
Human-Led, AI-Powered: A Playbook for Nonprofit Executives and Boards
A practical session on governance, ethics, and oversight in the age ofAI. It covers how to adopt new tools responsibly, protect donor trust, and keep accountability with people.
Michael has a rare ability to make AI feel practical instead of intimidating. At AI Summitt, he held the room from start to finish, and our team left with ideas we started using the following week. He's substantive, candid, and easy to work with, which is exactly what you want in a keynote speaker
Wayne Weaver, President, Infinity Direct Marketing
We brought Michael in for a fireside chat and he exceeded every expectation. He tailored his talk to our audience, spoke from real experience rather than theory, and gave people a clear framework they could act on. The conversation in the hallway afterward told us everything. I'd book him again without hesitation.
Juan Peasant, Founder,
PM Group, Inc.
As a small nonprofit, we don't have room for wasted time or money, and Michael understands that. He showed us how organizations like ours can use AI to do more with less without losing the personal connection our community depends on. He left us encouraged and equipped.
Everage Thomas, Founder, New Generation
Food Pantry Outreach
What Audiences Say
Meet the Speaker
Michael Chatman: Leadership, Philanthropy & Community Impact
Michael Chatman
President & Chief Executive Officer
Michael Chatman is President & CEO of Charitable Community, America's first AI-first community foundation. With more than twenty years of leadership in philanthropy, social innovation, and civic engagement, he led a 53-year-old institution through a transformation: a lean, AI-enabled organization where purpose-built AI handles research, drafting, and analysis, and every decision stays with a person. Today its network represents 5,719 nonprofits and catalyzes $4.15 billion in annual charitable impact. Trained at Harvard in Social Entrepreneurship and AI for Business, Michael advises mission-driven organizations nationally and speaks on AI, philanthropy, and nonprofit leadership. His conviction: real change scales through networks, not just assets.
Education & Credentials
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Harvard University — Social Entrepreneurship & AI for Business
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Executive Leadership Certificate, Harvard Business School
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M.A., Philanthropy, St. Mary's University of Minnesota
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B.A., Political Science, Missouri State University
President & CEO
Thank You for Your Interest
Let’s Start the Conversation
Thank you for your interest in having Michael speak at your event. Once you submit the form, our team will review the details and Michael’s availability. We’ll follow up within two business days using the email address you provided to discuss next steps and determine the best fit for your event.
Bring Michael to Your Next Event
Inspire your audience with decades of leadership, philanthropy, and community-building experience. Whether you’re planning a keynote, workshop, panel, fireside chat, or board retreat, Michael brings practical insights and meaningful perspectives tailored to your audience.