KRISTIN RUNNELS

Fund Raising Professional | Capacity Builder | Musicophile

In 2017, Kristin formed her own consulting firm (KR Consulting, Inc.) to more deeply explore the elements that make up the complete arts education pipeline—from K-12 arts education, youth development, higher education, and the needs of emerging artists, to the professional arts landscape. In general, her clients and projects fit within and contribute to this pipeline, and seek to design creative solutions to their persistent as well as novel challenges. 

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After transitioning out of an early career in finance in 2007, Kristin interned at the L.A. Philharmonic within its public relations department. From there, Kristin moved into philanthropy to work with the prestigious Colburn Foundation—the region's largest funder of classical music—for 8 years. While at Colburn, Kristin managed an annual distribution of $6.5 million to over 50 regional arts providers.

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Kristin also incubated and managed relevant, professional development workshops and round tables with executives working within the arts nonprofit sector, partnering with leaders such as Jerry Yoshitomi (nonprofit consultant), Meenakshi Chakraverti (novelist), and Jeremy Hunter (Executive Mind Leadership Institute).​

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With a keen interest in learning more about arts education—as well as a desire to experience life “on the other side of the desk"—Kristin joined the advancement staff at the California Institute of the Arts in summer 2015. There, she stewarded a $4MM institutional giving portfolio comprised of major donors, corporate partnerships, and institutional special initiatives—including mentorship programs, wellness initiatives, and a $10MM scholarship endowment campaign. Kristin collaborated with deans, faculty, staff, and outward-facing program directors to better serve the most pressing needs of the Institute's students.

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Through her work, Kristin has built relationships with key stakeholders in the arts nonprofit sector, actively engaging with local and national networks like Southern California Grantmakers, Grantmakers In the Arts, L.A. Arts Funders, and Emerging Arts Leaders. She was also a member of the L.A. County Department of Arts & Culture's Arts Ed Collective (previously Arts for All) steering committee.

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At KR Consulting, Inc., Kristin stewards all aspects of managing an institutional fundraising portfolio—from stewardship of prospects to ensuring compliance activities are completed for active grants. Since 2017, she has worked with over a dozen regional arts organizations, raising and managing over $4.5MM annually from institutional funders for current clients; drafting copy for annual reports and capital campaigns; and reviewing/revising strategic plans.

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In addition to the work listed above, Kristin earned her certificate in health coaching in 2012, and studied mindful awareness facilitation through UCLA's Mindfulness Awareness Research Center. Kristin attended the University of Memphis, where she studied classical performance (violin) and graduated cum laude with a degree in English Composition.