Rebecca Sayles

Rebecca Sayles has enjoyed a career spanning over 30 years with small- to mid-size arts organizations in New York and New England. As Director of Development, she managed all aspects of fundraising for Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music, Copland House, Hoff-Barthelson Music School, and the Emelin Theatre for the Performing Arts, and served as Executive Director of the contemporary classical music organization Bang on a Can and the Amateur Chamber Music Players Foundation.

As Grants Officer at ArtsWestchester (NY), she oversaw the county arts council’s grants to over 80 cultural organizations. As an independent consultant since 2016, Rebecca has served as Interim Director of Development at community music schools and advises arts organizations in the areas of donor prospect research, fundraising planning, and grant writing.

She has been a grants reviewer for the Vermont Arts Council, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, and Bronx Council on the Arts. Rebecca is a past Vice President of the Westchester Association of Development Officers and a founding member of Grant Professionals of Lower Hudson.

She has served on nonprofit boards and taught fundraising and grant writing at the State University of New York.

Rebecca earned an A.B. in Sociology from Harvard College, and an M.A. in International and Comparative Education from Columbia University Teachers College.