A Million Dollar Impact Featuring Toby Fisher

To Our Family and Friends,

As we pause to celebrate Thanksgiving, we want you to know how truly grateful we are for each and every one of you. Your support, friendship, and presence in our community make all the difference. We hope your day is filled with gratitude, laughter, and the joy of gathering with loved ones around a special meal. As a reminder, our office is closed today and tomorrow in observance of the holiday.

This year, we are honored to share a remarkable story from one of our graduates, someone who recently made a $1 million impact. Moments like these remind us of the legacy we are all a part of and the extraordinary ways our graduates live lives of meaningful contribution.

If you know a Klemmer graduate who is making a difference in the world, we’d love for you to nominate their story. Celebrating these acts of impact is one of the greatest joys of our work and a beautiful reminder of the power of community, generosity, and purpose.

A Million Dollar Impact Featuring Toby Fisher

When Toby set out to make a meaningful difference, he didn’t just talk about it—he acted. His journey toward donating a million dollars for a home supporting women and children in need exemplifies vision, commitment, and compassion in action as a Compassionate Samurai.

Toby shared, “I started by asking how much would I need to create to be able to donate one million dollars, and then put both numbers in my vision, yet led with the contribution.” He explained that meant holding two figures in mind: the one million dollars he intended to give away, and the larger amount of wealth he would need to generate in order for him to be able to donate the million dollars. In his 40s at the time, Toby described himself as flat broke after the 2008 crash, yet he explained, “I wanted to make a real difference that would last beyond my lifetime and create personal abundance during my lifetime.” He visualized and publicly declared many times his intention to make this one million dollar donation by age 65—which he completed by 58, seven years early!

Toby openly shares that he was once a homeless addict and has now been clean for over 30 years. He reflects on how difficult it was for him, or anyone, to get off the streets, yet how much harder it can be for women who are so often victimized. “I can’t unsee the tragedies or lose sight of the miracles, and with that clarity this became my God-given assignment.”

He describes how a vague idea took shape, growing clearer with time. It drew him like a magnet toward donating a specific property valued at over one million dollars to a particular nonprofit. Only recently did he realize that the same nonprofit had actually run his last detox in 1992.

Toby added, “Just two months after completing the donation, I closed a deal that exponentially replaced that donation.” Chuckling, he said, “Maybe I should have committed to donating ten million dollars, and maybe I will.”

He now envisions ten or more Klemmer graduates making a one million dollar donation or more within five years. Toby said, “Can you imagine the world ripple of a team with that capacity? If a homeless addict can do it, then surely anyone can.”

The final property, still under construction and expected to open in a year, will be better than he had imagined—larger, more functional, and in a safe area that ensures a supportive environment for hosting 32 women and children. Toby recalls how natural and effortless it felt. “It was actually the easiest closing I ever did,” he said. “I felt really grounded, and the nonprofit taking it over already had architect plans, permits, and construction workers ready to go.”

What It Means to Be a Compassionate Samurai

“Compassionate Samurai do that,” he said simply. “I just think it’s the right thing to do. I’ve been blessed. It really wasn’t that complicated…It just kind of fell together.”

Toby’s story is more than philanthropy; it is a blueprint for vision, resilience, and action. From navigating complex deals to supporting those in need, his journey demonstrates how clarity, boldness, and consistency create profound impact.

A Legacy of Transformation

“Hold on to the vision,” Toby advises. “Whatever is coming your way, it’s a test. Be committed to passing the test.”

Through his work, Toby shows that courage and compassion, paired with strategic action, can transform lives, both his own and those of the women and children soon to benefit from his generosity.

Happy Thanksgiving!

In Gratitude,

The Klemmer Team