Michael Mercier

Michael Mercier is the Deputy Director of Advancement, Institutional Giving at Olney Theatre Center. Michael has over eight years of experience in the fundraising and grant writing field.

Mercier began their career as a Managing Director with Vintage Theater Collective, where they oversaw all aspects of the company's operations. Michael then transitioned to Two Pence Theatre Company, where they wrote grants and managed the company's finances.

In 2014, Mercier took a position with the Illinois Arts Council Agency as a Grant Program Assistant. The following year, they became the Development Associate with Cathedral Choral Society. In 2015, they joined Elevate | Smart Grants for Powerful Social Change as the Supervising Director of Grant Writing. While at Elevate, Mercier supervised a team of approximately 20 Grant Writers and Senior Grant Writers, and helped promote fundraising success for a range of non-profit clients.

In their current role as Deputy Director of Advancement, Institutional Giving at Olney Theatre Center, Mercier is responsible for leading the theater's institutional giving program. Michael works closely with senior leadership to secure funding from foundations and government agencies to support Olney Theatre Center's artistic and educational programming.

Michael Mercier has a certificate in Arts and Culture Strategy from National Arts Strategies/University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice. Michael also has a certificate in Nonprofit Fundraising from North Park University. Finally, they have a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) w/ Distinction in Acting from the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater BFA Actor Training Program.

They work with Eleanor Sobczyk - Individual Giving & Special Events Manager, Colleen Robinson Miller - Advancement Operations Manager. Michael Mercier reports to Dina Goldman, Director of Advancement.