Katelyn Simone

Katelyn Simone is a seasoned fundraising and communications strategist and writer focusing on advancing the mission of arts and social impact organizations.

Katelyn has over a decade of experience accelerating revenue as a fundraiser and grantwriter, both in-house and as a strategic consultant. She has raised many millions of dollars for music organizations including the New York Philharmonic, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony, and the Ukrainian Contemporary Music Festival. Since 2022, Katelyn has supported the Allentown Symphony as a grant-writing consultant and strategist. Her comprehensive research and strategic support have expanded the Symphony’s grant portfolio and continue to build relationships with new regional and national funders.

She previously served as a Senior Consultant at CCS Fundraising, where she designed and implemented three feasibility studies, contributed to multiple capital campaigns, and worked broadly across types of fundraising projects and nonprofit sectors.

Katelyn brings experience as an organizational leader and advocate for DEI initiatives, having spearheaded the New York Philharmonic’s first-ever racial equity initiative and convening the leadership of Board, Staff, and Orchestra to facilitate discussions and trainings. Katelyn also offers a funder’s perspective, having served as a funding panelist for the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and other arts funders.

An avid music journalist, Katelyn contributes to the San Francisco Chronicle, Opera America, San Francisco Classical Voice, and Classical Voice North America, and is a member of the Music Critics Association of North America, American Society of Journalists and Authors, and the Professional Speechwriters Association.

Katelyn is a professional oboist who maintains a regular performance schedule across New York City. After winning competitive auditions, she previously served as Associate Principal Oboe of the South Bend Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Chicago Symphony's Civic Orchestra, and has performed in two Broadway tours of Wicked, the Pine Mountain Music Festival, the Peoria Bach Festival, and Bronx Opera. She earned a Master of Music Performance from Northwestern University.

She serves on the board of Quince Ensemble, a vocal quartet that specializes in contemporary classical music.

Read more at www.katelynsimone.com