Business Planning for Sustainable Artist Employment

We are seeking a Taproot volunteer to help us build a practical, actionable fundraising plan to support the launch of Freedom House Theatre Company’s inaugural season. We aim to raise approximately $2,208,517.50 by late July to cover artist and leadership salaries, benefits, and partial rehearsal space costs. The funding will be needed in three phases: by May 30, we aim to raise $2,208,517.50 to cover artist and executive artistic director salaries and benefits, including a five percent fiscal sponsor fee; by June 21 we aim to raise an additional $304,500 to fund the wages and benefits of our Chief of Staff, Director of Dance, Director of Music, and Director of Residency; and by July 26 we aim to raise $42,500 to cover half of the projected $85,000 needed for rehearsal space leasing. The volunteer would assist in reviewing our current budget and funding goals and then help map out a detailed plan to meet these specific targets. We are especially looking for guidance in identifying the best mix of fundraising streams, such as major donors, corporate sponsorships, individual contributions, crowdfunding, and fundraising events, as well as how to approach each one in a realistic and timely way. The final deliverable would be a written fundraising plan with strategies tailored to each donor type, a timeline of recommended action steps, measurable goals, and suggested contingencies. If time allows, the volunteer may also help review or refine donor-facing materials such as our pitch deck or letters of inquiry. We seek someone with experience in nonprofit fundraising strategy who can help us create a focused and sustainable path forward.

This project is critical to helping us fulfill the mission of Freedom House Theatre Company, which is to uplift Black, Indigenous, and historically silenced voices through bold, collaborative stage works. At the heart of our model is a commitment to equity and care. We do not just want to produce powerful performances. We want to create real jobs for artists. With the help of a Taproot volunteer, we will develop a focused and achievable fundraising plan that will allow us to employ 24 multidisciplinary artists as salaried workers with full benefits. That means dancers, musicians, and actor-playwrights who have historically faced economic instability will have year-round employment, health insurance, and the freedom to create without fear of financial precarity. This project has the power to transform lives and the arts community, and we invite you to be a part of this inspiring journey.
This project will also support the hiring of essential leadership staff, the rental of rehearsal space, and the infrastructure needed to build a sustainable launch season. Your contributions as a volunteer are not just a part of the process. They are integral to our success. You will be helping to shift what is possible in the arts, proving that care, compensation, and culture can go hand in hand. You will join a movement to create a new performance company that sees artists as essential, not expendable. Your time and expertise will directly impact the livelihoods of underrepresented creatives and the communities their stories speak to.

We are fully prepared to set this project up for success. As the Founder and Executive Artistic Director of Freedom House Theatre Company, I bring a Master’s in Nonprofit Management and a deeply structured approach to project implementation. I have clear deliverable systems and maintain detailed agendas and running notes to ensure that all meetings are practical, focused, and aligned with outcomes.
Internally, I’ve already secured complete alignment around our goals, timeline, and funding needs. We’ve developed a comprehensive funding pitch deck, created a draft budget, and prepared fundraising materials tailored to strategy. I also have an engaged advisory board with several members with experience in charitable giving and fundraising. While foundation grants are not a focus for this phase, I have already begun submitting grant applications for future phases of work.
To support major donor engagement, I’ve launched outreach efforts that include beginning to assemble a “Bridge Committee” of well-connected individuals who can help us reach major donors using a demographic and psychological profile we developed; holding an initial meeting with a staff member at a grantmaking institution and actively scheduling additional conversations to explore discretionary funds and partnership opportunities; and reaching out to wealth managers who advise clients interested in charitable giving.
This Taproot project is central to our next 90 days of fundraising and growth. Our leadership and fundraising team will implement the outcomes directly, and they will shape our outreach to major donors, corporate sponsors, and individual contributors. We are committed to being responsive, organized, and collaborative throughout the engagement and look forward to building a strong and strategic relationship with our volunteer partner.