Katelyn Simon
Fundraising and Nonprofit Leader
Summary
Hello, and thank you for visiting my profile! I'm an experienced writer/editor, fundraiser, and professional classical musician.
I'm interested in using my nonprofit leadership skills in a frontline partnerships position to have a broader impact in humanitarian causes such as global health, free speech, international relations, women's rights, and the environment.
As a journalist, I've written about social issues, women in classical music, the nonprofit sector, and performing arts organizations worldwide. See my work at https://www.clydefitchreport.com/author/katelyn-si...
Experience
Executive Director
Look + Listen Festival / New York, NY
Annual three-day festival sparking dialogue between new music and art.
• Direct all operational functions including fundraising, marketing, operations, finance, and production. Manage team of contracted support staff.
• Led organization-wide effort to refine mission statement and align institutional branding.
Institutional Giving Officer
The New York Philharmonic / New York, NY
Nation’s oldest orchestra with an operating budget of $87 million.
- Drive strategy and develop proposals, budgets, and reports for $3 million portfolio.
- Closed foundation gift for $200,000 for education programs, an increase from $50,000.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across the organization to assess program needs and identify funding opportunities. Promote institutional learning through funder feedback.
- Appointed to organization “language squad” to craft compassionate, on-brand donor communications copy in response to COVID-19 crisis.
- Draft proposals, campaign language, and correspondence for organization leadership.
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra / New York, NY
World’s premier chamber orchestra with an operating budget of $4 million.
Director of Major Gifts
• Led and supervised the work of the development department.
• Closed $150,000 foundation gift for strategic planning and capacity building.
• Spearheaded events of all sizes, including bi-annual galas, major donor salons, and young professionals’ membership society.
Director of Strategic Partnerships (Promoted from Mgr. of Institutional Giving)
• In first two years, personally raised $1.96 million and increased diverse portfolio of foundation, government, and corporate funding by 42%.
• Raised over $400,000 in new and increased funding.
• Built relationships with hospitals and care centers in Japan to offer new Music and Wellness program during the orchestra’s international tour. Secured initial program funding.
• Advocated for increased opportunities for women composers and young musicians of color. Secured organization-wide anti-oppression training.
Contributing Editor
The Clyde Fitch Report / New York, NY
Online journal focused on the intersection of art and politics.
Part-time
Marketing Manager
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra / Baltimore, MD
Marketing Manager
South Bend Symphony Orchestra / South Bend, IN
Education
Northwestern University
Master's / Music Performance
Baldwin-Wallace College
Bachelor's / Music Performance, Psychology, French
Graduated Magna Cum Laude
Skills
