The board of directors of nationally acclaimed Conner Prairie, one of the nation’s top outdoor history museums, has named Carmel, Ind., resident Andrew Bradford vice president-chief development officer.
In his role, Bradford will serve as the museum’s chief fundraising strategist, responsible for managing daily operations of the development efforts to secure funding through individual, corporate, government and foundation sources, among others. A member of the museum’s leadership team, he will work with the board of directors to fulfill organizational fundraising goals and manage the board’s development committee.
“Andrew is a dynamic, articulate strategist,” said Conner Prairie President and CEO Norman Burns. “He is a natural-born leader who exceeds at coaching and mentoring and is a great fit for our current development team. Under his leadership, I foresee continued and significant growth in all areas of development at Conner Prairie.”
Bradford joins Conner Prairie from the national Alzheimer’s Association where he was national director of donor stewardship, responsible for managing more than 100 donors who contributed more than $120 million to the organization.
As a nonprofit leader, serving in positions as senior manager of strategic philanthropy and partnerships at the YMCA of the USA in Chicago, assistant vice president and team officer for CCS Fundraising in Chicago and assistant director of development at the YMCA/JCC of Greater Toledo, Ohio, Bradford has raised more than $85 million in his career, specializing in capital campaigns, annual fund management, strategic planning, major gift solicitations, staff and volunteer management and donor stewardship.
“It is a privilege to join such an impactful organization,” Bradford said. “I am looking forward to working with our staff and volunteers to ensure Conner Prairie has the resources necessary to serve this vibrant community for years to come.”
Originally from Cincinnati, Bradford earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Albion College in Albion, Mich., where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He is a member of the Association of Donor Relations Professionals.
Spanning more than 1,000 wooded acres in central Indiana, Conner Prairie welcomes nearly 400,000 visitors of all ages annually. As Indiana’s first Smithsonian Institute affiliate, Conner Prairie offers various outdoor, historically themed destinations and indoor experiential learning spaces that combine history and art with science, technology, engineering and math to offer an authentic look into history that shapes society today.
Conner Prairie’s mission is to inspire curiosity and foster learning about Indiana by providing engaging, individualized and unique experiences. Created by Eli Lilly in 1934, Conner Prairie combines history with science, technology, engineering and math and encourages visitors to explore Indiana’s natural and cultural heritage through hands-on, immersive and interactive experiences. Inspiring visitors of all ages to discover more about the events, discoveries and forces that shaped the American Midwest, Conner Prairie offers various historically themed, indoor and outdoor experience areas throughout its more than 1,000 acres of wooded property in Fishers, Ind. Indiana’s first Smithsonian Institute Affiliate and accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, Conner Prairie is a 501(c)3, non-profit organization that relies on grants and philanthropic donations from corporations and individuals for sustainability and growth. Visit connerprairie.org or call (800) 966-1836 for admission dates, hours, ticket prices and opportunities to donate and volunteer. Conner Prairie is on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Flickr and YouTube.
