Join me on my (New-ish!) Journey
Happy Mid-November, Folx!
We’re headed into “Giving Season” & it feels like a good time to share what’s been shifting in my professional life.
You probably know me from my theater career (my favorite & most successful project was THE ELEPHANT IN EVERY ROOM I ENTER - created by me & Gardiner Comfort, with runs at New York Theatre Workshop’s Next Door Space & La MaMa).
Here’s something I didn’t talk much about during my 16 years ”‘pounding the pavement” as a director in NYC (& I’m still feeling vulnerable sharing this with you all)--I’m a Fundraising Expert:
In 2005, I started making fundraising phone calls for Manhattan Theatre Club (I wanted to run that theater someday, so it was a perfect “survival job” at that moment in my life).
I got really good, really fast: it felt easy because I was talking to people about my favorite topic: theater. I raised over $6M in less than 8 years (all in gifts under $3k).
Fast forward to now: I have 18+ years of experience in fundraising & I’ve taught non-profit organizations to raise over $15M (primarily in donations under $2K).
My “flagship collaboration” is with MCC Theater: I founded their Outbound Fundraising campaign almost 9 years ago & our team of artists-fundraisers now raise approximately half of their Individual Giving budget EVERY year.
Some other orgs I’ve collaborated with include: Signature Theatre Company, New York Theatre Workshop, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Broadway Advocacy Coalition, Broadway Unlocked, Berkshire Theatre Group, Fort Worth Opera, Marin Theatre Company, Mint Theater Company & RIP Medical Debt.
Cat’s out of the bag: I’ve shifted careers & I’m now a Fundraising Coach, Consultant, Trainer & Speaker.
✨I empower artists, administrators & board members to tap into their creative superpowers and become skilled, authentic fundraisers.
✨ My work boils down to “Taking the Ick out of the Ask” © : I train & coach people on how to shift fundraising conversations from transactional encounters to relationship-building opportunities.
✨My 5 Minute Fundraising Ask framework is based on how I led a rehearsal room as a theater director: focusing on what makes each of us unique and engaging.
📣 I love talking about how Artists, Creatives, & ANYONE passionate about an organization or project can become successful fundraisers. Let’s shift the narrative away from icky tactics like “Always Be Closing” and toward genuine, empowering conversations.
If you stick with me on this journey, once a week you’ll find the following in your inbox:
✅ Actionable Tips on “Taking the Ick out of the Ask” ©
✅ How to Harness your “Creative Superpowers” for Fundraising Magic
✅ Intentional Thoughts on how we can Shift the Narrative on Nonprofits through Building Community
✅ Monthly Book Recs (I discover fundraising inspiration in surprising places!)
And (can’t help myself!) pics of my rescue pup, Ella Bucklaoo, on our little island in Maine.
Oh yeah, more news: I now spend a whole lot of time in Maine, where my husband & I are slowly renovating a farmhouse fixer-upper. More on that, too!