Senior Vice President
“Being with Horizons gives me the best opportunity to offer pure and focused generosity-stewardship counsel. The atmosphere is as much about ‘faith raising’ as fundraising. Once vision and faith have been challenged, then how to give can be taught. In the process, I build relationships that last for years to come.”
For Tom Melzoni, designing and implementing a plan of stewardship is always a “process in action.” It’s important to get the details right—whether he’s investing in a campaign with the right personality or inventing bold new approaches to individual generosity. Tom remains convinced that all Christians want to give, but their native understanding of lifestyle approaches to giving is limited. He believes that one’s standard of giving should be as important as their standard of living.
Known for his creativity in motivating and inspiring others, Tom has worked with more than 300 clients including colleges, camps, Salvation Army Corps, schools, and churches of every size and denomination. He has raised almost $1 billion dollars in his career. Some of Tom’s most recent church campaigns are listed here:
Northridge Church, Rochester, NY – David Whiting, Pastor ($2.8 million and $3.2 million)
Victory Lutheran Church, Jamestown, ND – Shawn Bowman, Pastor ($1.5 million)
Canyon Ridge Church, Las Vegas, NV – Kevin Odor, Senior Pastor ($21 million)
Helping each client define, execute and fund their God-given vision has been Tom’s personal mission for almost 20 years. His clients appreciate that Tom measures his time with them in qualitative terms only. In fact, Tom provides extensive follow-up to ensure each client’s ultimate satisfaction. He also consults with established clients who seek his further expertise in planned giving, creative annual giving, and other ongoing concerns.
Tom has provided Executive Pastor Leadership in the mega-church environment after assisting his father in planting churches in Ohio. Today he’s active in his local church and serves on the boards of Columbine Redemption, a ministry born out of the tragedy of Columbine High School, and the Melzoni Foundation, a family foundation dedicated to helping ministerial students achieve their educational goals.
Tom earned his Ph.D. from Columbia University and an MA from Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY. He was granted an honorary doctorate of divinity from the California Graduate School of Theology for his work in church growth and stewardship.