April 15, 2025

RSC Associates Announces Retirement of Founder Bob Swaney

Evansville, IN — Today, RSC Associates announced the upcoming retirement of its founder, Bob Swaney, effective May 31, 2025. After nearly four decades of service to the nonprofit arts and cultural sector, Swaney will step down from his day-to-day role but remain an active co-owner of the firm alongside his wife, Suellen Swaney, RSC’s Chief Financial Officer. Catherine Heitz New serves as RSC Associates’ Chief Executive Officer.

Bob Swaney — Founder

Swaney began his career in the late 1980s at the Evansville (IN) Philharmonic and later held key fundraising roles at the Indianapolis, Chicago, and St. Louis symphony orchestras. Known for combining strategic vision with a deep respect for artistic mission, Swaney built a reputation for creating consistently high-performance, community-driven contributed revenue programs.

In 2006, Swaney founded Robert Swaney Consulting, Inc.—now RSC Associates—with a simple yet critical imperative: to help arts organizations build strong, successful, and sustainable fundraising programs. As CEO through 2023, he led the firm to national prominence, helping hundreds of clients expand their contributed revenue base, deepen donor relationships, and strengthen sustainability by embracing best-practice fundraising fundamentals.

Swaney’s approach to client development and achieving high-yield fundraising results was modeled after the practice of philanthropy itself—through genuine relationship building, simplicity in approach, frequent reinforcement, and a healthy dose of good humor to help everyone enjoy the journey. His people-first ethos became a hallmark of RSC’s client engagements and helped establish the firm as a trusted, long-term partner to arts organizations across the country.

Reflecting on his decision to retire from formal responsibilities, Swaney said:
“I’ve been tremendously blessed to serve this field and work alongside so many talented people and passionate professionals who, like me, believe in the power arts and culture have to impact lives. With Catherine Heitz New at the helm and our strong team in place, I can step back knowing RSC will continue to significantly impact the arts community. I’m deeply grateful to the clients, colleagues, and friends who made this journey so meaningful.”

In January 2024, Swaney transitioned leadership to longtime team member Catherine Heitz New, naming her the firm’s second CEO. With a deep understanding of RSC’s mission and values, New is now guiding the firm into its next chapter.

“Bob didn’t just build a firm—he built a culture of integrity, focus, and excellence,” said New. “His leadership was never just about dollars raised. It was about elevating the field and the professionals in it. While we’ll miss his daily presence, his influence is everywhere in our work. We’re proud to carry that legacy forward.”

Under Swaney’s leadership, RSC Associates expanded far beyond fundraising to include strategic planning, grant writing, data analytics, training, and marketing support. Today, with a staff of experts who have decades of combined experience, the firm serves a broad range of arts and cultural organizations nationwide—from major institutions to community-based groups—helping them become more resilient, effective, and valued in a shifting philanthropic landscape.

Beyond client work, Swaney has long been a respected speaker, coach, and mentor. He’s led national conference sessions, facilitated Board and staff workshops, and guided professionals across all career stages. His podcast, Fundraising Growth Now!, launched in 2019, has quickly become a go-to resource for arts leaders focused on revenue growth and sector insight.

Though stepping away from daily responsibilities, Swaney will remain actively connected to RSC Associates as co-owner and advisor—continuing to support the company and the field he has helped shape.

For more information about the firm, visit www.rscrevenue.com.

Media Contact:
Catherine Heitz New
Chief Executive Officer
RSC Associates
317-300-4443
rsc@rscrevenue.com

About RSC Associates:
Founded in 2006 as Robert Swaney Consulting, Inc., RSC Associates is a national fundraising and revenue strategy firm serving nonprofit arts and cultural organizations. With a mission to help clients grow stronger, smarter, and more sustainable, the firm provides services in fundraising strategy, strategic planning, grant writing, analytics, Board development, and marketing and sales. RSC Associates empowers clients to build resilient institutions and achieve lasting impact in their communities.