Joanne Curry is the Head of Client Success & Principal at Creative Fundraising Advisors. Rooted in her ballet training, Joanne is passionate about empowering nonprofit organizations to achieve their utmost potential.

In this episode Joanne shares what brought her to the realization that a professional dance career wasn’t for her and how she pivoted into the world of nonprofit administration. As a nonprofit expert, Joanne gives us valuable insight into what a nonprofit business really is and the most common misconception people have. We learn the biggest mistakes nonprofit dance companies are making in becoming financially stable and three things companies can start doing today to turn things around. Joanne also shares how dancers can contribute to the financial success of their company (and in turn, get paid more!).

This conversation is incredibly eye-opening for anyone running or employed by a nonprofit business (aka, most ballet dancers!). Together, we can move from the starving artist mindset to one of financial prosperity in the arts.

Key Moments:

• Early training [1:50]
• Attending college for dance [3:00]
• Realizing she didn’t want to pursue a professional dance career (and how she pivoted) [5:43]
• Transitioning into the world of nonprofit administration [10:08]
• What is a nonprofit business (and the most common misconception about nonprofits) [14:50]
• The biggest mistakes nonprofit dance companies are making [16:45]
• How to appeal to donors and drive giving [21:36]
• The three things nonprofit dance companies can do today to become more financially stable [35:44]
• What dancers can do to contribute to the success of their company [37:58]
• Her biggest piece of advice for dancers pursuing a career [43:40]

Connect with Joanne:

CREATIVE FUNDRAISING ADVISORS: https://creativefundraisingadvisors.com/

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-curry-7760184b/

Links and Resources:

The College Dance Decision: thebrainyballerina.com/the-college-dance-decision

DRT: www.drttix.com/create-event (Make sure to mention that The Brainy Ballerina sent you!)

1-1 Career Mentoring: book your complimentary career call

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina

Questions/comments? Email me at [email protected]