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Experienced nonprofit fundraising executive manages museum’s development and communications 

INDIANAPOLIS – The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art has hired a new vice president for advancement, Alli Badgero, who brings significant experience in nonprofit fundraising in the arts and higher education.

Badgero joined the Eiteljorg Feb. 2 after serving as vice president of development at Indy Art Center for the past four years. There she led the largest capital campaign in the organization’s history and secured more than $8.8 million in philanthropic gifts while also modernizing the fundraising infrastructure, inspiring renewed philanthropic investment to expand and sustain its existing programs.

In her new role as the Eiteljorg’s vice president for advancement, Badgero leads the museum’s institution-wide fundraising and communications, overseeing staff responsible for annual giving, corporate partnerships, grants, charitable events and marketing. Among her important duties are cultivating and maintaining relationships with high-level donors for planned giving while leading efforts to recruit, retain and involve general members and donors.

“Bringing remarkable experience as a mission-driven senior nonprofit leader, Alli Badgero has exceptional qualifications to build the museum’s culture of philanthropy and lead the Eiteljorg’s advancement department to the next level,” Eiteljorg President and CEO Kathryn Haigh said.

Badgero earned a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University in 2010, a master’s degree from Ball State University in 2019 with a graduate certificate in public relations and education communication, and a certificate in fundraising management from Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy in 2018.

Prior to the Indy Art Center, Badgero held senior fundraising roles at Marian University, Ball State University and the Detroit Zoological Society in Royal Oak, Michigan, where she supported institutional growth through philanthropic engagement.

“It is an honor to join the Eiteljorg team as I am inspired by the museum’s commitment to advancing arts, histories and cultures, as well as by the unique and essential role the institution plays in our community,” Badgero said. “I am particularly drawn to leadership roles that merge culture, purpose and innovation, and I see this opportunity as an ideal fit for my experience and values.”

Badgero succeeds Jamie Simek, the Eiteljorg’s previous vice president for advancement, who left in December after serving four years in various museum roles to accept a new position as chief advancement officer at Indiana Landmarks.

About the Eiteljorg
For more than 36 years, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art has been an integral part of the cultural fabric of Indianapolis and scenic White River State Park. The Eiteljorg Museum explores the intersection of the arts, histories and cultures of the past and present by sharing the diverse stories of the American West and the Indigenous Peoples of North America. Located on the Central Canal at 500 West Washington St., the Eiteljorg is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.

Media Contacts
Bryan Corbin
Public Relations Manager
317.275.1315
bcorbin@eiteljorg.com

Katie Warthan
Director of Communications and Marketing
317.275.1317
kwarthan@eiteljorg.com

Sara Haas
Digital Marketing Coordinator
317.275.1388
shaas@eiteljorg.com