“Fundraising is the gentle art of teaching the joy of giving.”

This is the mantra Michele Peon Casanova lives by as Major Giving Manager for Lincoln Arts. In her role Michele ensures the organization’s programming, events, and other initiatives truly remain accessible to all through promoting our mission, programming, and community impact. To raise funds for Lincoln Arts, she connects with members of the local community over their passion for the arts and the work we do, often making lifelong friends in the process.

The Norfolk and York native got her start raising funds for KUCV, Fine Arts Radio for Southeast Nebraska, after earning a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as well as completing core courses toward a Master of Arts. There she worked in general fundraising for radio and then television, before putting more focus on individual donors with major and planned gifts. For nearly 25 years, Michele worked in many different fundraising roles with NET, inspired by the positive impact so many create in the community. She was especially excited to continue her fundraising work with Lincoln Arts when she joined the organization in late 2018, due to a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

For Michele, part of that appreciation is directed toward the artistic beauty found in nature. She loves to experience the natural beauty of the world every chance she has by walking, running, and bicycling outdoors, often with a camera in hand to capture Nebraska’s natural beauty.