I’m Christopher Burley, a communications strategist, fundraising leader, and storyteller with more than 25 years of experience helping mission-driven organizations communicate clearly, build public support, raise money, and inspire action.

My work spans nonprofit communications, advocacy, fundraising, digital engagement, marketing, public affairs, media relations, and content strategy.

I’ve worked with organizations including the Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Defenders of Wildlife, Care2, Women Thrive Worldwide, Pop Culture Classroom, Taxpayers for Common Sense, and President Obama’s 2012 campaign in New Mexico.

What I Do

I help organizations turn complex issues into clear, compelling stories that people can understand and act on.

My approach brings together communications strategy, storytelling, audience engagement, fundraising, advocacy, marketing, and digital campaigns.

The goal is simple: Help the right people understand why something matters, care about it, and know what they can do next.

25+ Years of Mission-Driven Communications

I’ve spent my career working at the intersection of communications and social change.

I’ve helped wildlife advocates generate millions of constituent actions and raise millions of dollars online. I’ve helped Care2 increase relevant lead generation by 18% year over year and increase petition production by 150%.

As State Digital Director for Obama’s 2012 New Mexico campaign, I helped increase the campaign’s Facebook audience by 308%, Twitter following by 128%, and SMS subscriber base by 146%.

More recently, at Pop Culture Classroom, I led communications, development, marketing, public relations, content, and brand initiatives supporting education and youth programming.

Why Communications?

I believe communications can do more than deliver information. The right story can change how people understand an issue. It can make an unfamiliar idea feel personal. It can help people see themselves as part of something bigger.

My strengths assessment describes my core strength as transforming awareness into engagement, advocacy, and measurable impact. That’s the work I enjoy most.

Where It Started

My communications career began, in part, before I knew it was a career. I was a high school debater and a drummer in a regionally touring ska-punk band. Creating concert flyers, websites, and email newsletters taught me the fundamentals of DIY marketing, promotion, audience development, and storytelling.

Those lessons still inform how I work: Know your audience. Tell them something worth hearing. Make it easy to participate. Then give them a reason to come back.

Based in Denver. Working Nationwide.

I’m based in Denver, Colorado, and have worked with organizations and campaigns across the United States.

Whether I’m leading a communications team, developing a fundraising campaign, creating content, advising an executive, or building a digital advocacy strategy, my goal remains the same: Turn attention into action and action into impact.