As vice president of development, Anne Marie Miller is responsible for all aspects of fundraising and development activities at the Peoria Riverfront Museum. Under her leadership, the museum doubled its overall gift receipts and welcomed more than 4,000 members for the first time. She managed campaigns that tripled membership in the Visionary Society and helped create the Corporate Visionary Society Council, engaging corporate donors in multi-year support to ensure the museum’s long-term stability. This new focus on long-term corporate giving allows the museum to book the large-scale, high-profile traveling exhibitions that improve quality of life and make Peoria a destination for tourism.
Miller spearheaded the acquisition of “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition,” the largest history exhibition in Peoria-area history, which attracted more than 40,000 visitors and over $1 million of economic impact. She was a member of the team that launched the Every Student Initiative, connecting museum resources in support of local school curriculums, with a focus on the underprivileged and underserved. She is currently spearheading an effort to foster greater partnership and collaboration among the area’s major cultural organizations and attractions for the overall benefit of the community. These programs and initiatives have received national attention and investment from philanthropies such as Alice Walton’s prestigious Art Bridges Foundation, as well as major investments from local corporations, foundations and individuals.
As a presenter at philanthropic and museum conferences and meetings, Miller is regularly sought for consultation by other local and national nonprofits. She lends behind-the-scenes support to cultural fundraising in Peoria as an officer with the Association of Fundraising Professionals Central Illinois chapter. She is active with Saint Thomas Parish and served on the committee to celebrate 150 years of Catholic high schools in Peoria, providing fundraising support and event planning expertise throughout the anniversary year. A classically trained ballet and jazz dancer, she has performed in local theater and was a member of the Bradley and ICC dance teams. PM