
PoleStar
Communications LLC
ABOUT

Kate Neville
Founder and Principal
Kate is an experienced fundraiser with a passion for the human services, arts and environmental sectors. From a small community orchestra to lead roles at well-established regional institutions, she has first-hand experience fundraising for organizations of all sizes and stages of development.
Kate has written successful proposals to numerous major funders including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, Norcliffe Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 4Culture, and many others.
She has a BA from Smith College and a Nonprofit Management Certificate focused in Nonprofit/Public/Organizational Management from the University of Washington. She is a member of the Puget Sound Grantwriters Association and Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Representative Client List
As Principal of PoleStar Communications, Kate is proud to have worked with organizations in a wide variety of sectors. Current and former clients include the following.
EarthGen
Elderwise
Forterra
Friends of Seattle Waterfront
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
Seattle Center Foundation
Seattle Men's Chorus, Seattle Women's Chorus
Seattle Mountain Rescue
Tires to Green Recycling
Treehouse
Volunteers of America
Washington Environmental Council
Washington State Opportunity Scholarship
XBOT Robotics
Employment History
Institutional Partnerships Director
Seattle Rep
2018 – 2020
Development Director
Washington Trails Association
2014 - 2018
Corporate and Foundation Gifts Officer
Woodland Park Zoo
2005 -2014
Director of Education / Grants Administrator
Bellevue Philharmonic
2001 - 2005
Additional Experience
Association of Fundraising Professionals Mentor
2018 - Present
Puget Sound Grantwriters Association Conference Co-Chair
2009 - 2012
Lake Union Civic Orchestra Board of Directors
2005 - 2014