Cherian Koshy is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP), & AFP Master Trainer. Cherian is the Vice President of Development at Merit America, a nonprofit organization that is closing the opportunity gap at scale by preparing talented workers in low-wage roles for well-paying careers – breaking the cycle of poverty, and building a new pathway to the middle class for tens of millions of Americans.

He currently serves as the Vice Chair of professional development on the global board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and is the past Chair of the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service (Volunteer Iowa). He’s previously served on numerous other boards and commissions.

Cherian is a Certified Scale Architect, a Certified Mind Genomics Advisor, and holds advanced certifications in Behavioral Economics from Dan Ariely’s Irrational Labs as well as Harvard University. Cherian was also one of the most successful debating coaches in the United States and is the author of one of the most widely used debating textbooks currently used.

With 20+ years of fundraising experience in annual funds, major gifts, planned giving, and capital campaigns, he is one of the most sought-after trainers and speakers in the nonprofit sector. As the head of fundraising for various nonprofits, he’s personally raised more than $100M. His industry-specific thought leadership has been featured in Advancing Philanthropy, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, the Institute of Fundraising (UK), and dozens of keynote presentations, blogs, webinars, workshops, and podcasts.

As a coach and consultant, he helps organizations to scale their revenue growth and build stronger teams. The nonprofits he works with design strategies that give them back time and develop predictable success.

Cherian lives in Iowa with his wife Betsy, 2.3 kids, and their little dog too.

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