Tom Warhol, Director of Institutional Giving
Tom Warhol has been a grant professional since 2012, when he landed his first grant-writing job with the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS). Grant writing proved a good fit for Tom because it combines his writing talent with his commitment to nonprofits and interest in the natural world. These passions and skills were fostered earlier while earning a Masters in Forestry from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. This led him to on-the-ground positions as a land steward with The Nature Conservancy and as a Technical Assistant with the Massachusetts Riverways Program, among other organizations. At the same time, Tom also started writing professionally, specializing in nature and science topics for young readers and adults. He has had a dozen books published with established publishers.
Tom also holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from the Rhode Island School of Design. These specializations in the arts, writing, and conservation science proved invaluable to him in 2018, when he started Perfect Pitch, a grant consultancy specifically for nonprofits. Through Perfect Pitch, he has been able to work with a wide variety of organizations throughout Vermont and the country.
A strong desire to get back to conservation full-time moved him to join MCHT in October 2024, where he hopes to help make an impact on land conservation in Maine, a state he fell in love with more than 30 years ago.
On land conservation: I’ve been passionate about land conservation since childhood trips to a relative’s farm and hiking and camping with my brothers. Growing up in New Jersey, I was exposed to the many ways that land is abused, misused, and co-opted for human needs, but also to the many dedicated people working to protect and expand the open space that remains. With so much development around, those places provide an even more important refugia for nature and a place of respite and wonder for people.
On the job: As the Director of Institutional Giving, I channel my dedication to conservation into facilitating the success of others so that everyone, people and nature, wins. Engaging my skills and experience as a writer, naturalist, photographer, and compassionate human being in the service of Maine’s natural areas is a lifelong dream.