FOUNDER + PRESIDENT

Erica Bittner (she/her) founded Artistic Fundraising Group after many years of working in development at organizations such as the Auditorium Theatre, Redmoon Theater, and CHIRP Radio. She has managed rigorous grant programs, created inaugural fundraising campaigns, and secured significant new sources of revenue for every organization in her portfolio. She has also served as a panelist for the DCASE CityArts grant program. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from the Chicago College of Performing Arts, a certificate in Acting Shakespeare from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and an MFA in Writing and Literature from Bennington College. Erica is a professional actor whose work can be found on The Chi (Showtime), Chicago Fire (NBC), Soundtrack (Netflix), and on stages throughout Chicago. She is also working on her first novel.

VICE PRESIDENT

Catherine Gillespie (she/her) is delighted to be ensconced in the arts in a variety of ways, including as a teaching artist and fundraising consultant. Cate has nearly a decade of experience as a grant writer and fundraising consultant for various arts and arts education organizations, including three years as Grants Director at The Viola Project. She holds a certificate in Grant Writing from DePaul University and has completed professional development in Fundraising and Marketing at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School. Also Educated in musical theatre at Oakland University, Cate now works as a teaching artist and dialect coach for professional theatres throughout Chicagoland. She is passionate about finding creative ways for small arts organizations to expand their reach and deepen their impact.

DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTIONAL GIVING + OPERATIONS

Ellen Morris Palermo (she/her) is a music director, teaching artist, and development specialist. Ellen began her development experience at the Centro de Cultura, Arte, Trabajo y Educación in Pennsylvania and while there, expanded their grants funding by 15% and increased annual giving by 25%. As a musician, she has frequently performed at Writers Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre, Marriott Theatre, and Boho Theatre, and has taught at the Wilmette Park District, Evanston Children’s Choir, and Music Institute of Chicago. Ellen has her MS in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania and her BM in Music Direction and Piano from Northwestern University.

INSTITUTIONAL GIVING CONSULTANT

Claire Bauman (she/her) is a Chicago-based director, choreographer and grant writer. She brings her experience from all sides of the artistic table to inform her work as an arts administrator. She has worked with Steep Theatre, Red Tape Theatre, Interrobang Theatre Project, Wender Collective (formerly Walkabout Theater), Metal Shop Performance Lab, Rhinofest, and Broken Nose Collective among others. Claire has participated in DirectorsLabChicago, Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation Observership Program, and Hangar Theatre's Directing Apprenticeship. Claire is currently pursuing her MFA in Directing at Northwestern University. She earned her BA from Vassar College and further trained at the Moscow Art Theater School.

CONSULTANT

Karen Keagle (she/her) has worked in fundraising for over 20 years in the arts, education, human services and the environment. She has enjoyed working with theater, music and dance companies in the Midwest and on the East Coast and is delighted to join AFG to support arts organizations in Chicago. Karen received a Bachelor of Arts in the Teaching of French from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Fine Arts in Arts Administration from Virginia Tech.

CONSULTANT

Ian McLeland (he/him) was the development director in a one-person development shop for years, where he wrote grant applications, assembled fund appeals, maintained donor relationships, and courted major gifts from individuals and institutions. His development work supported the doubling of that organization's budget over a five-year term. Now, he couldn't be more thrilled to join the team at Artistic Fundraising Group to help support our clients' growth. Ian is an actor and writer based in Chicago and Boston. He is an artistic ensemble member with Midsommer Flight, and has been seen on stages in Chicagoland including Lookingglass Theatre, Victory Gardens Theatre, Writers Theatre, The Lyric Opera, Oak Park Festival Theatre, Silk Road Rising, Teatro Vista, and Strawdog.

CONSULTANT

Hilary Odom (she/her) has served in development leadership positions with Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and Lookingglass Theatre Company, and has also worked with the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and Playmakers Laboratory. Signature achievements include securing $10 million in federal pandemic relief along with other special fundraising efforts to restore live performances to OSF’s stages and serving as part of the team to realize the $55 million “Our City. Our Shakespeare.” comprehensive fundraising campaign that brought the innovative stage The Yard at CST to Navy Pier. Hilary is an alumnus of the Allstate/Kellogg School of Management Nonprofit Executive Leadership Program and the Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar Program. She has served on grant panels for the Illinois Arts Council and DCASE, and she is a Board member of The Neo-Futurists (President, 2016-2023). Hilary holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Community Arts Practice from DeMontfort University and a BFA in Musical Theatre from Millikin University.

ASSOCIATE CONSULTANT

Maddie Powell (she/her) is an actor, writer, and arts administrator specializing in development. In addition to training with development professionals at acclaimed arts institutions like Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Playwrights Horizons, Maddie served as the development director for two student-run organizations during undergrad. She recently graduated from Northwestern University with a B.A. in English and Theatre, as well as a certificate in Integrated Marketing Communications. As an actor, Maddie has frequented the Chicago storefront scene, appearing onstage with groups including Theater Wit, Oil Lamp Theater, and Improv Playhouse.

INSTITUTIONAL GIVING CONSULTANT

Madeline Roth-Scofield (she/her) has worked to positively impact her community through her career in nonprofit fundraising. She has worked in arts, culture, and education-focused organizations and brings a wealth of experience combining vibrant storytelling and data analytics to create compelling grants and high-achieving fundraising campaigns. Madeline has experience in institutional giving, annual fund campaigns, membership programs, donor stewardship and relations, and database management. Madeline is a proud graduate of Chapman University and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History

CONSULTANT

Skyler Schrempp (she/her) is a grant writer and novelist from Chicago. Her work at AFG is informed by many years of experience in the Chicago theatre and non-profit scene. She has worked as a costume designer, actor, director, and theatre teacher and she has extensive experience in arts non-profit management and fundraising. Her first novel Three Strike Summer (Simon and Schuster) received four starred reviews and was listed on several “best of” lists including Bank Street College of Education’s Best Children’s Books of the Year, Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best, and Horn Book Fanfare 2022 Booklist. It was also an official Illinois Reads selection, winner of the Chicago Public Library’s mock Newberry, a finalist for the Oklahoma Book Awards, and the recipient of a Judy Lopez Memorial Honor. Skyler received her undergrad degree from Hampshire College and her MFA in writing from Vermont College of Fine Art.

INSTITUTIONAL GIVING CONSULTANT

Tamara Winters (she/her) is a theatre creator and fundraiser for the arts with more than 17 years of experience in institutional giving, individual giving, annual fund drives, and special events at organizations with budgets from $100,000 to $6 million. Tamara served for 9 seasons as Associate Artistic Director of Know Theatre of Cincinnati, where she led communications and fundraising strategies and directed 15 new works. Previously, Tamara served as Institutional Giving Associate for New York's Symphony Space, Events Coordinator for Arts/West in Athens, OH, and Development Associate for Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. Her creative work has been seen at Know Theatre of Cincinnati, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, New York Madness, Fringe NYC, Dixon Place, Cherry Lane Theatre, The Tank, The New Ohio, Nuyorican Poets Cafe, Ovation Theatre, Ohio Valley Summer Theatre, and ARTS/West.