There are no "magic bullets" in fundraising:
it's all about working with people.

About Me

Although a native of South Carolina, I have made my home in New York City since 1979, where I have worked for a variety of arts organizations, most of which support contemporary creative artists. I doubt anyone grows up wanting to be a fundraiser, and that certainly was true of me. I studied to be a professional musician and majored in composition. (If you're curious about my compositions, you can learn more about them on my other web site.)

Like most people, I fell into fundraising by accident, first writing grants to support my composing, and then doing fundraising for the organizations listed below. It is amazingly satisfying to know that you are responsible for making a nonprofit organization thrive, for people to be employed, for artists to create work, etc. I highly recommend it.

Fundraising consultants like to give big numbers for the millions they have raised. In truth, no one raises money on their own. Into each person's decision to make a grant or a contribution goes an organization's history and reputation, their relationship with the organization (usually over a period of years), and finally the clarity and quality of the solicitation. So let's just say that the development departments I have led have raised $5 million or more annually. Over my career, that must equal tens of millions, but who's counting?

I have been a guest speaker for Masters in Arts Administration program, Columbia University; Wagner School for Public Policy, New York University; Arts & Business Council; graduate program, Fashion Institute of Technology; and various arts councils in lower New York state.

CURRENT POSITION

Symphony Space (multi-disciplinary performing arts center)
Director of Development, 2007-present

OTHER FUNDRAISING POSITIONS I HAVE HELD

Opera America (the national service organization for the entire opera field), Director of External Affairs, 2005-2006

New York Foundation for the Arts (a state-wide multi-disciplinary arts service organization), Director of External Affairs, 2000-2005

Poets & Writers, Inc. (a national service organization for writers), Managing Director, 1997-2000

Second Stage Theatre (a nonprofit Off-Broadway theatre), Director of Development, 1995-1997

Whitney Museum of American Art (1990-1995) (museum of 20th century American art), Associate Director of Development, Membership and Annual Fund

American Music Center, Inc. (a national service organization for composers), Administrator, 1988-1990

The American Recorder Society, Inc. (a national service organization for recorder players), Executive Director, 1982-1988