The Fundraising Accountant

About the Founder

Growth with Purpose

If you’re looking for Stephen King, (the CPA not the writer!) you’ll often find him out in the garden—hands in the dirt, surrounded by blooming flowers, curious turtles, blue birds and the steady hum of life. For Stephen, gardening isn’t just a hobby. It’s a time to pause, reflect, and reconnect with his purpose.

“Daily gratitude got me thinking of how I might expand my purpose,” he says. “As I sat pondering in the garden, I felt a calling to use my gift of financial knowledge and experience to help as many nonprofit leaders as possible reach their growth potential. That was the seed was planted to grow the Fundraising Accountant Community.”

That seed has turned into a vibrant community dedicated to helping nonprofit leaders thrive. Now, he’s all in on the Fundraising Accountant Community—a space where nonprofit leaders can find honest advice, practical resources, and the support they need to run better, grow faster, and raise more money.

Why Build a Community?

Stephen knows firsthand how challenging—and rewarding—nonprofit work can be. It’s much harder to run a nonprofit than it is to run a for-profit business. He’s done both.

He built this community to make sure no nonprofit leader has to go it alone.

Life Outside the Numbers

Stephen’s not all spreadsheets and strategy. Married for over 35 years, a proud dad of two, and shares his home with a lively bunch of pets—Chance the Rabbit, Turtles Doug & Crystal, a handful of dogs, and Nico a mischievous cat who keeps everyone on their toes. Whether he’s tending to his plants, enjoying a glass of red wine, or wrangling his furry (and shelled) friends, Stephen brings the same heart and dedication to his personal life that he brings to the nonprofit world.

Stephen has spent his career championing nonprofits and mission-driven organizations. He left EY in 1989 and took a curious path to Amnesty International USA, where he wore more than a few hats—serving for seven years as CFO and Director of Development.

During his time there, he helped raise over $20 million a year and played a key role in building the systems that helped scale the organization’s 300% growth after the Human Rights Now! tour.

Never one to shy away from innovation, Stephen went on to found Virtual Growth (1995), the first online accounting service which morphed into GrowthForce.

Steve build GrowthForce into one of the largest cloud-based accounting services firms in the country. After over 20 years at the helm as CEO, he decided it was time for a new chapter.

Read the Press Release

Now, he’s all in on the Fundraising Accountant Community—a space where nonprofit leaders can find honest advice, practical resources, and the support they need to run better, grow faster, and raise more money.

Community Values

Cultivate Camaraderie

Strong nonprofits grow from a rich, supportive environment. Like a well-tended garden, our community thrives when everyone shares knowledge, resources, and encouragement.

Nurture Growth

Stephen is committed to helping organizations and their leaders reach full bloom. Whether it’s a budding idea or a mature nonprofit, providing the right tools, guidance, and nutrients for lasting growth.

Rooted in Integrity

Just as a tree stands tall because of its deep roots, this community is rooted in honesty and transparency in everything we do. Trust is the foundation of community growth.

Harvesting Impact

Measure our success is seen in the fruit our community bears—real results in fundraising, operations, and mission delivery. Every small win is a seed for greater change.

Continuous Learning

Gardens never stop growing, and neither will this community. Stephen welcomes growth-minded leaders who foster curiosity, encourage learning, and adapt to new seasons and challenges, always seeking better ways to serve.

Irish Hospitality

“It is in the shelter of each other that the people live.” (old Irish proverb). All are welcome with warmth, wit, and a genuine desire to help—just like you’d expect at a neighbor’s kitchen table in Ireland.

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