Sundance Institute Names Allison Graff-Weisner As Chief Development Officer

The Sundance Institute has appointed Allison Graff-Weisner as its new Chief Development Officer (CDO).

A 25 year vet in the nonprofit, education, and cultural spaces, Graff-Weisner will spearhead a capital raising campaign associated with the organization’s upcoming transition to Boulder, Colorado. Graff-Weisner will serve on the executive leadership team, where she’ll oversee expanding the Institute’s national and global donor base.

She will report directly to CEO David Linde.

“Allison is exactly the kind of transformative leader the Sundance Institute needs at this pivotal moment in our history,” said Linde. “Her proven track record of scaling organizations, combined with her deep experience in the cultural and educational sectors, makes her uniquely qualified to lead our development efforts. As we prepare for our transition to Boulder and look to expand our support for independent artists globally, Allison’s ability to build values-aligned partnerships will be instrumental to our sustainable growth and future success.”

Graff-Weisner joins the Sundance Institute from Otis College of Art and Design, where she has served as VP of Institutional Advancement. There, she has led advancement across all areas of giving, significantly growing scholarships for a highly diverse student body and establishing strategic industry and philanthropic partnerships. Prior to Otis College, she was the Deputy Director of External Affairs at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, where she was involved in the museum’s launch across contributed revenue, membership, special events, and corporate engagement.

“I am incredibly honored to join the Sundance Institute, an organization whose commitment to artistic risk-taking and independent voices has profoundly shaped global culture,” said Graff-Weisner. “Robert Redford’s founding principles of supporting artists outside traditional systems of power resonate deeply with me. I look forward to working with David, the Board of Trustees, and the incredibly talented Institute team to build an innovative fundraising model that ensures bold, original storytelling continues to thrive for generations to come.”

Earlier in her career, Graff-Weisner spent over 18 years at City Year in various executive capacities, ultimately serving as the Chief Development and Engagement Officer. During her tenure, she spearheaded private sector fundraising efforts, managing a $20 million national budget, and co-designed a $225 million campaign in support of City Year’s 30th Anniversary. She also served as the Founding Executive Director of City Year Los Angeles, growing the site to an annual budget of $12 million and raising $50 million cumulatively.