Elizabeth Chilton Email & Phone Number

Detroit, Michigan, United States

Southeast Michigan

Automotive Hall of Fame: Exhibit and Fundraising Consultant (March - October, 2012); Detroit College Promise: Fundraising Consultant (February - October, 2012); Marcon Exhibits & Events: Exhibit Proposal Development (December 2011 - October, 2012); College for Creative Studies: Consultant for "Experience Design" classes (Jan. 2011 - May 2011; Sept. 2011 - Dec. 2011); Detroit Children's Museum: Content Development for "Up North" exhibit area including - visitor studies; content research and development; graphic design, production and installation; formative, remedial and summative evaluation. (Oct. - Dec. 2011); Arts & Scraps: Exhibit content development; curriculum development (November 2011 - October 2012)

Rochester, Michigan

Led team to exponentially expand outreach programs. Led development of new 5-year strategic plan. Led planning and execution of the organization’s most popular and financially successful presentation of its largest fundraiser- the Art & Apples Festival- in its 56 year history with greater sponsorships and a new art demonstration area garnering increased media coverage. Led the organization to its best financial position since its founding - with more than 50% increase in its financial resources. Increased corporate and foundation funding 10-fold.

Greater Detroit Area

As an outgrowth of my passion for professional development, I started the first and only Exhibit Professionals Group in southeast Michigan. The group has expanded to more than 125 members from more than 60 museums, libraries, science centers, universities and historic houses. I've organized nearly 20 professional development opportunities including a behind-the-scenes tour of one of the area's largest museum collections, a day-long interpretive planning workshop, discussions with curators on how to include under-represented voices in exhibitions, and assessments of temporary exhibitions at some of the region's smallest and largest institutions.

Dearborn, Mi

Managed Curatorial team including collections and development of new traveling, temporary and permanent exhibits. Liaison with museums, libraries, visitor centers and other exhibiting venues across the country.• As of FY 2017, increased visitorship by 10 fold through launch of traveling exhibition program, expanding visibility and fundraising opportunities, and realizing the museum’s goal to be a truly “national” museum. Oversaw curation and development of four traveling exhibitions which have thus far been presented in more than 30 venues nationwide including: Headquarters of the U.S. State Department; Japanese American National Museum; Museum of New Americans; and Ellis Island Museum of Immigration.• Oversaw expansion of temporary exhibition program including hosting 20 existing exhibitions and curating more than 10 new exhibitions for temporary exhibit galleries. Expanded exhibition spaces to include activation of areas dedicated to the display of new acquisitions and another to the work of local students and visiting artists.• Oversaw growth of the museum's holdings including new collections focusing on everything from artifacts from the first large community of Arab World immigrants in the United States to signs carried at the 2017 Women's March on Washington and the protests against the travel ban at airports across the country.• Lead museum-wide initiative to institutionalize evaluation of all programs, operations, and exhibitions

Greater Detroit Area

Created, staffed, and led new department to develop engaging exhibit concepts and content resulting in the creation of more than 100 individual exhibits contained within four permanent exhibit galleries, two large-scale traveling exhibits, and a host of individual exhibit collections and displays.o Quality Assurance and Analysis: Developed and implemented readability standards, key message delivery, and evaluation measures to ensure more meaningful visitor experiences and increase engagement by at least 30%. o Project Management: Led collaborative process to develop, fabricate, and install new exhibits in coordination with content experts, designers and fabricators – improving organizational efficiency.o Development: Liaison with exhibit funders. Solicited new exhibit projects. Helped develop exhibit budgets and build schedules. Wrote proposals and reports.

Led department responsible for 1) corporate, foundation, and individual fundraising in support of new exhibits, programs, and operations and 2) membership acquisition, cultivation, and renewals.o Fundraising: Led collaborative effort of staff and volunteers to secure financial support resulting in a 38% increase in gifts and grants from corporations, foundations, and individuals.o Major Gifts: Worked with President and Board members to identify, cultivate, request, and secure contributions.o Membership: Oversaw redesign of membership marketing program – increasing new and renewed membership resulting in a 47% increase in membership contributions. o Management: Hired and managed all Development and Membership staff - increasing departmental efficiency and expertise. Wrote and implemented in-kind gift policy and tracking system. Secured bids from outside contractors. Led planning and implementation of events. Developed and Monitored project budgets.

Greater Detroit Area

Held a series of increasingly responsible positions helping the organization plan, build, and transition into a ten-fold expansion of their former exhibit and program space.o Capital Campaign Fundraising: Worked with President, Board, and other volunteers to identify, cultivate, request, and secure contributions. Researched and wrote major funding proposals. $30M campaign resulted in ten-fold expansion of exhibit space and installation of 5 exhibit galleries, demonstration areas, theaters, and classrooms. o Data Management: Facilitated planning and tracking of all Capital Campaign solicitations and fundraising events. Oversaw customization and installation of Raiser’s Edge software.o Membership: Significantly increased efficiency by streamlining renewal solicitation and acknowledgement processes. Wrote copy for member newsletter and led team managing special member events.

o Doubled grant submissions resulting in a 60% increase in funding from corporations, foundations, and government agencies including 1st time funding from the National Endowment of the Arts.o Developed and coordinated the organization's first Annual Giving campaign – increasing individual giving by 25%.o Coordinated and implemented "Star Sponsorship" program resulting in a 50% increase in gifts.

Dearborn, Mi

o Prospect Research: Researched and coordinated follow-up measures for 29 new constituents of the University.o Donor Solicitations: Wrote and coordinated publication and distribution of appeal and pledge fulfillment letters.o Event Support: Helped conceive, plan, and implement fundraising, friend raising and donor recognition events.

Bachelor Of Arts, Public Information And Communications

Activities and Societies: Features Editor

Bachelor Of Science, English

Teacher Certification: Middle and High school English and Journalism