Michael Bigley Email & Phone Number

The Venable Foundation was established in 1983 to promote the health and well-being of the communities where Venable LLP's clients and employees work and live. Each year, approximately $4M is awarded to communities that includes Washington DC, Baltimore, New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Wilmington DE and Tysons Corner VA. As the sole staff person operating the Foundation, Michael collaborates with the Foundation's Board of Trustees and the firm's partnership to ensure the delivery of high-quality service while guiding the Foundation to refine its strategy in all markets.

Washington, Dc

Manage a full-time staff of 25+ and collaborate with the Executive Director to implement the vision and mission of the agency to be the leading government agency for arts and culture in the District of Columbia. During my tenure, the agency's budget has grown from $14M to $32M. • Ensured the agency maintained compliance and reporting to the Executive Office of the Mayor, including the creation of the agency’s annual performance plan and the documenting of key performance indicators on a quarterly basis.• Developed strategies and programs to implementing the agency’s allocated budget, including $15 million in grants to nonprofit organizations and individual practitioners. • Represented the Mayor and Commission Executive Director at high profile events for the city and at grantee-related meetings and events. • Served as agency liaison to the DC Office of Planning’s interagency team to engage the community and create Washington, DC’s first Cultural Plan.

Catlett, Va

Developed a yearlong fundraising strategy for The Chance Foundation - a canine rescue, rehabilitation and adoption nonprofit organization. Instituted a successful year-end appeal utilizing both social media and e-mail solicitations. Future plans include small special events, one-on-one donor cultivation and dog sponsorship options.

Washington, Dc

Serve as the sole Program Officer for several areas - Arts and Humanities, Capacity Building and HIV/AIDS - managing a portfolio of more than 80 grantees and awarding $4 million yearly. Review and assessment of grant proposals, conduct site visits and due diligence to evaluate program relevance, organizational integrity, stability and compatibility to the Cafritz Foundation’s mission. Determine priorities within the arts and humanities docket and communicate funding strategy to the board of directors. Provide technical assistance throughout the year to potential applicants and current grantees. Led a taskforce of local funders to support and implement a national database to DC – The Cultural Data Project.

Washington, Dc

Expanded operations of all K12 school programs, including Concerts In Schools, the Feder String Competition, Children of the Gospel Summer Camp, Embassy Adoption Program in coordination with DC Public Schools, among others. Evaluated current initiatives to discover areas for improvement. Coordinated youth education marketing and communication plans with internal departments. Developed budgets and maintained fiscal oversight on all related projects. In coordination with senior staff, solidified institutional goals, objectives, strategic planning, evaluation and direction for all education initiatives. Spearheaded new initiatives and collaborated with internal fundraising staff to secure donors for those efforts. Sole education staff person until the last four months of my tenure at WPAS.

Designed and implemented museum and theater programming for K12 students and teachers as the first staff position solely focused on education. Developed outreach to 22 school districts in seven counties from New York and Pennsylvania. Wrote extensive teacher curriculum companions connected to performances and exhibitions, created an artist residency program, taught summer drama workshops and developed an interactive museum gallery space.

Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate

Future Executive Director Fellowship

Cohort-based professional development over nine months, focusing on skill-building and peer learning around relevant leadership skills..

M.S., Childhood Literacy

Activities and Societies: Graduate Fellowship in Arts Education; Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts

B.S., Elementary Education, Social Studies

Activities and Societies: Public relations, musical theater, chorus