Emily Brownfield Named Elgin Symphony Orchestra Director of Corporate and Grant Development

Emily Brownfield has been named Director of Corporate and Grant Development at the Elgin Symphony Orchestra (ESO). Ms. Brownfield comes to the ESO with experience in both the business and non-profit world. She most recently was the Executive Director at a small nonprofit in Rochester, MN called Brighter Tomorrows, which supports families of children with pediatric cancer. She wore many hats there, including fundraising and grant writing.  For more information about the ESO’s many programs in the community and to learn how to donate, visit ElginSymphony.Org.

Cheryl Wendt, Chief Development Officer of the ESO, commented on the appointment: “We are thrilled to have a professional with Emily’s experience join our development team. She has the knowledge and can-do spirit that will help the ESO continue to grow and be a vibrant part of our community. As funding of cultural institutions has changed drastically over the last decade, the growth of our corporate sponsorships is vital, and this is the area Emily will concentrate most of her time on. We love our corporate partners and look forward to developing relationships with even more of them.”

Ms. Brownfield has her bachelor’s degree in theater from Gustavus Adolphus College and a master’s degree in Philanthropy & Non-Profit Management from the University of Northern Iowa.  She remarked, “I am so excited to be supporting and advocating for the arts in my new role at the ESO.”  Ms. Brownfield is originally from the Quad Cities.  She and her husband Chad recently moved to St. Charles, IL.

Now at the end of its 66th season, the Elgin Symphony Orchestra (ESO) offers programming unmatched for an entertaining, informative and relaxing cultural experience. The ESO has won Illinois Professional Orchestra of the Year an unprecedented four times – in 1988, 1999, 2005 and 2016, and Music Director Andrew Grams was named the 2015 Illinois Conductor of the Year. The ESO is a world-class orchestra providing quality musical explorations that are entertaining, hassle-free and conveniently located close to home in the western suburbs.  For more information, see ElginSymphony.Org.