Cultural Arts Center Hires Fund-Raiser

Carolyn Pegg hadn’t even been hired to lead the fund-raising arm of the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center and she was already making suggestions.

Shortly before foundation leaders were set to interview Pegg for the job last month, she picked up a copy of the organization’s annual fund-raising letter and made some suggestions.

“She’s already had an impact,” foundation treasurer Aaron Starr said.

Pegg beat out six other applicants for the job.

The veteran fund-raiser from Orange County is confident the foundation can raise much more money by appealing to established donors and corporations, Pegg said.

At her last job fund-raising for the Orange County Performing Arts Center, Pegg said she had great success when she invited potential donors and local children to the same shows.

“They’re excited to see the children and where their money might go instead of just hearing it from me,” Pegg said.

At last Saturday’s opening night for the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “Carousel,” one patron was so pleased he made an unusual donation, Pegg said.

“He whipped out his wallet and started peeling off $100 bills and handed them to me,” Pegg said. “I’d never met him before, and he’d never been a donor before, but he said there’d be more to come.”

Pegg has a master’s degree in music from UCLA. She grew up in West Los Angeles, but she has relatives who live in Simi Valley.

Foundation board members will be introduced to Pegg formally at their 6 p.m. Wednesday meeting at 3050 Los Angeles Ave.