Jonah Nigh

DYNAMIC SPEAKER  ∙ FUNDRAISING LEADER  ∙ ARTS AND EQUITY ADVOCATE  ∙ TV AND COMEDY PERSONALITY

Jonah Nigh is a fundraising and advancement executive who most recently served as Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer at The Juilliard School, where he led its fundraising initiatives, including the public launch of its $550 million campaign to make Juilliard tuition-free. He has also held senior roles at The New School, the Jewish Museum, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Columbia University, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

With roots as a classically trained vocalist and a rich history in performance and live event production, Jonah bridges the worlds of the arts, education, philanthropy, and media with humor, heart, and hard-won insight.

About jonah

signature speaking topics

Fundraising Strategy & Philanthropy

  • Inclusive and innovative approaches to fundraising

  • Leading advancement in times of crisis or change

  • Building authentic donor relationships across cultures

Leadership & DEI

  • Representation in nonprofit leadership

  • Founding The BIPOC Forum for Fundraisers

  • Navigating power and privilege

Arts, Media & Culture

  • The future of arts institutions in a digital world

  • From stage to strategy: Lessons from a performer turned executive

  • Behind the scenes of NBC/Peacock’s Baking It 

Narrative & Motivation

  • From opera singer to fundraising exec

  • Running marathons and running major campaigns

  • Leading with joy, purpose, and perseverance

Engagements & Honors

Selected Speaking Engagements

NBC · Peacock · CBS · WNYC · France TV · National Endowment for the Arts 

NYC Pride March · The Jewish Museum · Columbia Business School · NYC Department of Cultural Affairs 

Tripadvisor · The Janchi Show Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) · Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) · Evertrue · Development Debrief Podcast

Professional Affiliations & Honors

  • Board Member, Grapevine, Giving Circles

  • Co-founder, BIPOC Forum for Fundraisers

  • Bronx Community Board 4, Appointed by Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Fun Facts

  • Trained opera singer with credits at Aspen Music Festival, Opera Boston & more

  • Five-time marathoner and Boston-qualifier

  • Starred with his husband on NBC’s Baking It, hosted by Maya Rudolph & Andy Samberg

IN THE MEDIA
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Booking Inquiries

  • Jonah is available for keynotes, panels, podcasts, media appearances, and workshops (virtual or in-person).

    @nighjonah

  • Sidecar Management 
    Lucia Chang • 323.333.3512
    lucia@sidecarmanagement.com