Arts nonprofit consulting

I work to sustain the arts because I believe art—and access to art—is essential for humans.

I advise leaders of small arts and culture organizations on how to create a strong foundation on which to build the support they need to be sustainable.

I spent a decade working at various arts and culture organizations in increasingly responsible roles, culminating in becoming the Director of Development at Kentucky Opera in 2019. Prior to that, while working at Microsoft, I served on three nonprofit boards, both as an officer and chair of the Governance and Development committees. Since 2021, I have been an arts consultant to organizations across the country.

I am adept at both operations and storytelling, and I rely on these skills to help organizations build relationships with individual and institutional patrons to create strong and loyal communities.

My experience includes capital campaigns, development audits, database assessment, campaign management, and stewardship plans. I have created short- and long-term fundraising plans, based on the specific needs of individual organizations.

Select partner organizations

  • Interim Director of Development at a time of staff leadership transition for the organization.

    Prior to taking on the interim position, I led a development audit that resulted in a comprehensive report of development performance over the past decade and short- and long-range plans for fundraising.

  • I work with the Institutional Giving Officer to write complex grants and research new grants.

  • Served as Interim Director of Development at a time of staff leadership transition.

    Put systems in place, developed a long-range plan, and worked with staff members to assess and implement a new database.

Services

  • Strategic Planning

    I help organizations turn their vision into plans to create a sustainable future, so the art and artists they support can flourish.

  • Grant coaching

    I work with staff to develop relationships with funders, research new prospects, and provide guidance on writing grants.

  • Development Audit

    With staff and board, I assess fundraising performance and operations to identify strengths and areas of need, so an organization can grow its fundraising capacity.

  • Interim Director of Development

    At times of transition, I lead fundraising efforts, to provide a bridge between past and future; and help pave the way for a new development leader.

Testimonials

  • I worked directly with Christine when she wrote an important grant for StageOne Family Theatre. From start to finish, it was a pleasure to work together. She began by laying out an easy to follow plan with clear expectations to be met by both parties. Then she collected the notes provided and proceeded to dig deeper and question further uncovering information and impact that I hadn't even thought to provide. Finally, her masterful writing style created an easy to follow narrative that will set the standard for subsequent impact statements in our future. Christine is a skilled grant-writer with extensive experience, but moreover she is an enthusiastic collaborator who brings out the best in our colleagues and in the work. I wouldn't have predicted that hiring Christine as a grant-writer would not only serve the immediate need of our organization, but set us up for future success as well.

    Kate Gipson
    Executive Director, Local Theatre Company, Denver, CO

  • Christine Johnson-Duell is an outstanding philanthropy professional. When she joined Seattle Opera’s development team, her face-to-face fundraising experience was exclusively from a board member’s perspective. Because she willingly embraced new concepts and methods, she quickly deepened her ability to fundraise. Christine is an extremely collegial team player and passionate about her organization’s mission and service to the community. Working with Christine to strategically advance Seattle Opera was a joy and pleasure.

    Lisa Bury
    Philanthropy Consultant and Advisor, Chicago, IL

Hire me

Get in touch with me about open roles, potential projects, and consulting and coaching needs using the form.

I am available to work in Boston and Eastern Massachusetts or remotely