Katie Ellis brings more than 20 years of fundraising experience in the arts, nonprofit, higher education, civic, and philanthropic sectors throughout the United States to RSC. With a passion for providing leadership, strategic counsel, and actionable guidance to drive revenue growth, Ellis has extensive expertise in helping organizations strengthen individual and institutional giving through successful Annual Fund, major gift, and capital campaigns.

Prior to joining RSC Associates, Ellis held two leadership fundraising roles at Indiana University. She served as Director of Development for the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs’ Public Policy Institute and the School of Education, where she led fundraising efforts during Indiana University’s $3.9 billion bicentennial campaign. During her tenure, she successfully secured the largest endowed scholarship fund for the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs and expanded the fundraising programs at each school.

Previously, Ellis served in leadership roles at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Paint Creek Center for the Arts, Indianapolis Museum of Art, and the City of Indianapolis, where she exceeded fundraising goals for each program. Beyond fundraising, Ellis has also worked within the philanthropic sector for The Clowes Fund, a family foundation. Ellis has consulted with arts and nonprofit organizations of various sizes throughout the United States. In partnership with Board and staff leadership, Ellis is committed to helping organizations achieve sustained fundraising growth by applying fundraising best practices and fundamentals.

As an expert in institutional fundraising and research, Ellis has helped organizations prioritize, build, and advance institutional giving programs by securing local, regional, and national private and corporate foundation funding. Ellis has also successfully secured federal funding from local, state, and federal agencies, including more than $1 million in federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Small Business Administration.

Ellis remains an active advocate, volunteer, and Board member for local arts, nonprofit, and educational organizations. She has also served on volunteer Boards for Butler University’s Ovid Butler Society, Damar Guild, Minett Elementary School, and Panther Creek High School.

Ellis earned a Bachelor of Science in Arts and Nonprofit Administration from Butler University with a concentration in Vocal Performance.