Thomas Edward McCabe, an accomplished Christian fundraising expert and entrepreneur, passed away peacefully on July 25, 2024 at 81 years old.
Born on October 11, 1942, in Syracuse, N.Y., McCabe’s legacy is marked by a life lived with purpose and passion. A natural athlete, McCabe excelled in various sports throughout his youth and notably through his high school years as a quarterback in football, point guard in basketball, midfield in soccer, and a sprinter in track. He continued showcasing his leadership and competitive spirit at Shelton College in N.J., where he graduated with honors and a degree in English Literature while remaining active in basketball, soccer, and student government.
McCabe and his future wife Margaret (Margie) Grace Roper met in high school, rekindled their relationship in college, and were married on August 13, 1966, in Coatesville, Pa., after both pursued master’s degrees at different universities.
A man of many talents, McCabe exhibited the remarkable ability to play piano by ear. While in graduate school at Syracuse University, McCabe discovered a passion for working with young people and served as a youth leader and choir director.
In his late twenties, McCabe assumed a role as vice president of the direct mail marketing efforts for National Liberty Insurance, a leading company in the industry at the time. McCabe credited Art DeMoss, the company’s Christian founder, with planting the seed for McCabe’s later vision of helping Christian ministries grow by raising funds the way he sold insurance policies to customers.
In 1980, Tom’s career path took an entrepreneurial turn when he founded the International Marketing Group (IMG) in McLean, Va. The first clients he served were The Salvation Army and missionary sending organization The Navigators. After relocating his family to Dallas in 1984, his company merged into what became KMA Direct Communications and was later acquired by The Pursuant Group. As a direct response fundraising and marketing company for faith-based organizations and other nonprofits, KMA has served clients including Dallas Theological Seminary, Mercy Ships, Moody Bible Institute, The Heritage Foundation, TWR International, SIM USA Missions, and Wycliffe Bible Translators.
KMA was named the marketing and fundraising partner for International Bible Society-Send the Light (IBS-STL), one of the world’s most enduring nonprofit organizations, a Bible translator and distributor since 1809, and sponsor of the NIV Bible, today’s most widely read contemporary translation.
“We chose KMA based on the quality of both their team and their resources to take us where we need to go,” said Cheryl Gardner, vice president of resource development for IBS-STL, in a statement. “KMA’s experience and reputation for excellence and their proven approach to strengthening donor relationships were also major factors in our decision.”
Through these business ventures and partnerships, McCabe pioneered innovative fundraising strategies that empowered countless Christian ministries to achieve their missions.
McCabe viewed his work as a calling from God. His belief that fundraising was a ministry, not just a business, was evident in his unwavering commitment to building genuine relationships with donors. He and his wife Margie were passionately invested in the efforts of these organizations and the lives they touched, expressing their commitment through both personal financial support and dedicated prayer.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Tom was a devoted husband and loving father to their three children Jenifer, Thomas, and Matthew. One of his greatest joys came from his role as a grandfather to eight adoring grandchildren. Tom’s love for sports found a new dimension as he enthusiastically cheered on his grandchildren at countless sporting events for the last 20 years.
McCabe served on the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) board of directors, the NRB Executive Committee, and as a NRB President’s Council Member for several years. He also served on the boards of Christian Leadership Alliance, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), Trinity Christian Academy, and Prison Fellowship International. McCabe received the NRB Individual Professional Member Special Service Award in 2015.
“I worked with Tom on the NRB [Executive Committee],” said Bill Blount, who currently serves on the NRB board of directors and as chairman of the NRB Music Licensing Committee. “A wonderful man of integrity, talent, and leadership, absent from the body, but present with the Lord! Well done, Thy good and faithful servant!”
“Tom was a remarkable man whose entrepreneurial enthusiasm was matched only by his deep devotion to God,” said Troy A. Miller, President & CEO of the NRB. “His leadership at NRB was a testament to his commitment as a servant of others and Christ. We celebrate Tom’s life, knowing he leaves a legacy of faith to inspire generations to come.”
McCabe dedicated many years of service as an elder in various churches he and Margie attended. He was a founding Elder at Calvary Fellowship Church in Pa., and later served as an Elder at Reston Presbyterian Church in Va., Trinity Bible Church in Texas, and their current congregation, Providence Presbyterian Church in Dallas. The church held a memorial service to celebrate the life of Tom McCabe on August 9, 2024. Watch the recorded livestream of the memorial service here.
Tom McCabe’s life exemplified the harmonious blend of faith, family, and professional achievement. His enduring contributions will continue to shape the lives of many.
McCabe is survived by his wife of almost 58 years, Margaret Grace Roper McCabe; three adult children and their spouses; eight grandchildren, his sister Debbie, his brother-in-law Gary, his sister-in-law Jane, and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Dallas Theological Seminary, Providence Presbyterian Church, or for student tuition aid at Trinity Christian Academy. Read McCabe’s obituary here.