Where strategy, stewardship, and mission align.
I’m Matt Wolcott. After 20 years leading high-impact fundraising teams and learning what works (and what doesn’t), I now partner with growth-minded nonprofits and faith-based organizations to build sustainable development programs, successful campaigns, and smart strategies.
How We Work: The MSP Distinctives
Our approach is guided by a small set of principles that shape every engagement. These aren’t slogans—they’re commitments to our clients and to the work itself.
Reputation Is Earned Through Results
We’re only as good as our clients’ success. Our reputation is built one engagement at a time, measured by outcomes that endure—not promises or presentations.
We Stay With You
Partnership doesn’t end at delivery. We remain invested in helping our work take root, supporting implementation and long-term impact well beyond the formal engagement.
Results Matter—and So Does How You Get There
You’re accountable for delivering results, and so are we. Our focus is helping you surpass your objectives while building sustainable systems and capacity—not short-term wins.
Strategy Must Be Usable
Big ideas fail when they ignore operational reality. We translate vision into practical, executable strategies aligned with the people, resources, and culture you actually have.
We Tell the Truth—with a Path Forward
Leaders deserve clarity, not platitudes. We speak candidly about what’s working, what isn’t, and why—always with constructive, achievable pathways toward progress.
We Get It (we really do!)
I launched Morning Star Partners because I saw firsthand how hard nonprofit leaders work—and how often good intentions and great missions are slowed by unclear fundraising strategy, weak systems, or lack of practical support. The opportunity cost is real, and it holds organizations back from delivering on their mission to the best of their ability—we get it, we're here to help.
"No matter how much you have achieved, you will always be merely good relative to what you can become."
-Jim Collins, Good to Great
Tailored Fundraising Solutions
Built Around You
Signature Solutions:
Fractional Development Executive
Get executive-level leadership at a fraction of full-time cost. Ideal for organizations in leadership transition, or limited bandwidth, or looking to build a proven and durable fundraising model for years to come. Learn more about the benefits of fractional.
Capital Campaign Planning & Delivery
From concept through completion, you'll get expertise from practitioners who take a disciplined approach to advancing your vision and achieving your goals.
Strategic Planning Intensive
Lay a solid foundation for future growth and mission advancement. We infuse practical strategy with best practice for Board members and staff.
Philanthropy Program 360
Gain key insights and prioritize practical steps that elevate your fundraising from good to great no matter the size. We'll help you quantify the opportunity cost and position you for success.
Additional fundraising and philanthropy program solutions available, please contact us for more information.
Drawing on two decades of hands-on experience, Morning Star Partners helps leaders build durable fundraising programs grounded in best practice and informed by data. Fundraising is inherently relational, demanding both thoughtful strategy and genuine stewardship. We partner closely with our clients, meeting them where they are and guiding them forward with confidence.
Guided by Purpose & Data
About Matthew Wolcott
Founder & Principal Consultant
Matt brings 20 years of experience leading philanthropic initiatives that have collectively raised more than $100 million across a diverse range of organizations—from faith-based institutions to international NGOs to enterprise-scale nonprofits like United Way and The Nature Conservancy. Having worked closely with boards and leadership teams, Matt understands the challenges of balancing vision with resources, engaging stakeholders, and building high-performing teams.
After a life-changing bicycle accident provided clarity and purpose, Matt transitioned from practitioner to independent consultant with a personal mission -- to help organizations avoid costly mistakes, elevate fundraising as a respected profession, and serve as a trusted partner for good.
Living in the Dartmouth College region, Matt draws inspiration from its motto—Vox clamantis in deserto—an image of preparation, humility, and clarity that shapes his approach to philanthropic leadership. Outside of work, he’s an avid outdoorsman who enjoys skiing, hiking with his dog Boone, and spending time with his wife of over 20 years, Leah, and their four children. He volunteers in his local church and coaches youth sports. Matt has been a featured presenter at multiple industry conferences and professional associations.
