Elijah Melendez

Elijah Melendez founded Anchor & Oak Strategies to help nonprofits and churches grow with clarity, strength, and purpose. His work is guided by a personal mission shaped years ago (in high school English class) by the enduring question: What is the human condition? That question has become a calling to intellectually advance the social service sector and practically create systems that heal, empower, and multiply impact.

Professionally, Elijah has guided organizations through campaigns, grant funding, and sustainable development planning, with experience spanning grassroots ministries and established nonprofits. He previously served in education, international missions, and student ministry. Most recently, he served as the Director of Operations and Development at the North Charleston Dental Outreach, where he helped expand access to care for underserved families and establish the clinic’s fundraising capacity from the ground-up.

Elijah earned his BA with Honors in English, summa cum laude, from The Citadel, with a minor in Fine Arts. He is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and a Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional (CNAP). He is currently pursuing his MBA at Charleston Southern University, expected May 2026. His research interests include organizational leadership, social entrepreneurship, biblical anthropology, and the theology of work. He serves as a Sergeant (11B) in the SC Army National Guard and is a board member for the Association of Fundraising Professionals - SC Lowcountry chapter.

At Anchor & Oak, Elijah brings this blend of academic training, professional expertise, and lived mission into every engagement. He is supported by an amazing wife (who he doesn’t deserve), a wonderful church-family, and two fun-loving boys, Malachi (18 mo) and Judah (3 yrs).