Thomas Rollerson

Brainstormer, Change agent, Connector, Consultant, Entrepreneur, Event planner, Gay, Idea generator, Marketer, Philanthropist, Producer, Promoter, Social entrepreneur, World traveler, Writer/Editor

Fundraiser and now a Funder...advocate for the arts and quality of life... It's one thing to dream to give back. It’s another thing to do it. Twenty years ago in April 1994 Thomas created The Dream Foundation (formerly Dalmatian Dreams), the nation’s only non-profit organization that grants final wishes to terminally ill adults and their families. It was Thomas’s desire to honor of the memory of his deceased partner, Timothy Scott Palmer, that inspired him to establish an organization, the first of its kind that would validate the wishes of others at such a difficult time. Thomas’ vision was to create an organization built on heart, relationships, and sound business practices intended to optimize the number of individuals who can be served while empowering those who support the mission. He pioneered a unique model that brought together a clearinghouse of in-kind resources, established partnerships with more than 50 major U.S. companies and Fortune 500 corporations, and led a team that raised in excess of $50,000,000 in cash and in-kind donations to fulfill the organization’s mission. In addition to overseeing the granting of more than 20,000 wishes, Thomas was a hands-on passionate advocate for Dream Foundation clients and helped give voice to them by successfully enlisting support from dozens of iconic luminaries and a vast and diverse network of influencers. With an established endowment the Dream Foundation received consistent recognition from Charity Navigator as a 4-star organization under Thomas’s leadership. Thomas is also a celebrated and passionate speaker and Executive Event Producer. Throughout his professional life he has been a voice for the voiceless and those for which he served. Thomas’ success comes from his natural ability to “speak from the heart.” Thomas’s history as a passionate advocate started long before he created The Dream Foundation. Prior to founding the organization, and long before the American’s with Disabilities Act became law, he spent years in the theatre & the arts, working tirelessly to ensure equal access to public facilities for performers and patrons alike. In fact, during his tenure at Access Theatre, a professional theatre company dedicated to ensuring accessibility to the arts for everyone, he even succeeded in taking the company’s tour to the center of political power & influence collaborating for national performances including the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Thomas’s background also includes experience and leadership in the for profit sector as a casting director for The Atmosphere Agency, where he supervised the children’s talent department, and as an executive vice president at G.S.G. Publishing where he managed more than 150 employees and was responsible for opening satellite offices for the firm around the country. Currently Thomas serves as a Board Member for the Gentiva Healthcare Foundation, Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care of Santa Barbara, and the Katy Perry’s Fireworks Foundation and is a member of the Association of Corporate Contributions Professionals. Thomas currently advocates for all things good – serving as advisor to individuals, family, community, celebrity or corporate foundations on mission, corporate social responsibility, strategy, grant making and assessment, non-profits in fundraising, event production, board development, and program strategy. – Thomas can be reached at thomasrollerson@mac.com or by calling (805) 895-5130

I believe in people with passion, our shared responsibility to relieve human suffering, and individuals and corporations who are committed to all things good. I'm passionated about peoples dreams, emotional wellness, and impact philanthropy. Don’t feed a problem, solve it. Be the chang

Fear is what keeps people down dreams are what lift us

Outrigger Paddling and JMT trail