Portfolio
Real organizations. Real decisions. Real outcomes.
Pollen has advised more than 80 organizations across 20 states, from municipal cultural centers to affordable housing developments to artist residency campuses. Every engagement is built around the same principle: financial clarity before commitment.
80+
Organizations advised
20
States served
5
Sectors served
20+
Years of experience
Featured Engagements
Selected projects across sectors and geographies.
Creative Organizations
Grand Lake Creative District
Grand Lake, CO
Worked with the Grand Lake Creative District to develop a financial modeling tool to evaluate program feasibility for the Rocky Mountain Folk School, a start-up educational initiative within a new affordable artist housing development in Grand Lake, Colorado.
Scope of work
Class mix and enrollment scenario testing
Instructor compensation modeling
Seasonal demand modeling for tourism-driven economy
Dynamic P&L projections across multiple scenarios
Affordable Housing · Public Sector
Town of Grand Lake
Grand Lake, CO
Worked with the Town of Grand Lake to analyze the operating model for a mixed-use artist housing development, evaluating affordable rent structures based on local economic conditions. The analysis assessed income qualifications for current residents and modeled rental levels and operating assumptions required to support long-term financial sustainability while maintaining community affordability.
Scope of work
Capital sources and uses evaluation
CHFA-aligned AMI rent structure modeling (30%-140%)
Commercial occupancy sensitivity testing
Long-term sustainability projections for fundraising and municipal decision-making
Cultural Institutions · Public Sector
City of Palm Springs
Palm Springs, CA
Worked with the City of Palm Springs to evaluate operating sustainability for the Cultural Center, including analysis of required capital investment to support long-term viability. The engagement tested ticket price sensitivity, operating cost scenarios, and required public support to assess the Cultural Center’s role as an economic and cultural engine within the municipality. Financial and economic sensitivity analysis modeled variability across earned, contributed, rental, and ticket revenue to inform long-term City investment decisions.
Scope of work
Multi-scenario occupancy and pricing testing
Earned, contributed, rental, and ticket revenue variability modeling
Break-even threshold and revenue concentration risk identification
Strategic recommendations for long-term operational stability
Cultural Institutions
The Foundry Project
Cleveland, OH
Collaborated with the facility owner to analyze redevelopment and operating costs for The Foundry Project, a 72,000 SF historic arts incubator. Developed capital budgets, operating projections, and rental assumptions to evaluate financial feasibility and establish a sequencing strategy for sustainable redevelopment.
Scope of work
Capital and operating budgets for phased renovation
Debt service and capital campaign modeling
Long-term rental sustainability evaluation
Structured redevelopment sequencing roadmap
Cultural Institutions
Fabric Workshop Museum
Philadelphia, PA
Worked with the Fabric Workshop and Museum to evaluate relocation scenarios and real estate options for a major facility transition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The analysis modeled purchase, lease, and shared-use configurations, assessing capital and operating impacts to inform long-term institutional planning and financial sustainability.
Scope of work
Purchase, lease, and shared-use configurations modeled
Long-term occupancy cost structure evaluation
Multi-scenario operating models
Strategic guidance for institutional planning
Performing Arts
St. Paul Ballet
St. Paul, MN
Worked with St. Paul Ballet to evaluate facility and operating sustainability for a 13,898 SF performing arts facility in St. Paul, Minnesota. The analysis modeled growth in education programs and studio rentals, assessing expanded earned-income opportunities and operating requirements to support long-term financial stability.
Scope of work
13,898 SF facility sustainability strategy
Capital improvement budget development
Education program and studio rental growth modeling
Long-term operating stability roadmap
Cultural Institutions
30,000 Feet
St. Paul, MN
Worked with 30,000 Feet to develop a capital and operating strategy for a 12,000 SF nonprofit facility in St. Paul, Minnesota. The analysis developed comprehensive capital and operating budgets and a detailed pro forma to support strategic planning and long-term financial sustainability.
Scope of work
12,000 SF nonprofit facility strategy
Comprehensive capital and operating budgets
Rehabilitation costs and ongoing expense modeling
Pro forma supporting strategic planning and sustainability
Creative Organizations
Mni Sota Fund
Minneapolis, MN
Worked with the Mni Sota Fund to evaluate a sustainable facilities strategy for an 8,000 SF community-based facility in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The analysis assessed capital requirements, rehabilitation costs, and long-term operating scenarios to support financial sustainability and mission-aligned facility planning.
Scope of work
Capital requirements and rehabilitation cost evaluation
Long-term operational scenario modeling
Risk analysis and strategic planning recommendations
Additional Clients Served
80+ organizations across five sectors.
The following represents a selection of additional clients served. Many engagements remain confidential at client request.
Cultural Institutions & Museums
ACH Clearpathways
Arrow Memphis Creative
Arts & Scraps
Asian Arts Initiative
Big Thought
CACHE
Corning Glass
Duluth Art Institute
Electric Machete
Film North
FOCI
Inside Out Literary Arts
Indie Memphis
Media Alliance
Open Book
Pittsburgh Glass
Signal Return
Somali Museum
Upturn Arts
Performing Arts Organizations
Arena Dance
Black Ensemble Theater
Charlotte Ballet
Collage Dance
Dance USA
Deeply Rooted Theater
Detroit Public Theater
Element Gym
MN Fringe Festival
Plowshares Theater
Pregones Theater
Theater B
Theater Y Chicago
Threads Dance
Victoria Theater
Walker West
Washington Improv Theater
Creative & Community Organizations
Aitkin County Friends of the Arts
Arts Council New Orleans
Chalkboard Collective
Dance Barn Collective
Foluke Cultural Arts
Fosston Arts Commission
Indigenous Peoples Task Force
Intermedia Arts
Lyric Center for the Arts
NALAC
Near Southside Inc
PlaceMade
Quad City Arts
Sarasota Arts Alliance
ShoreLake Arts
Telluride Arts District
The Foundry Arts Incubator
Public Sector & Government
City of Hutchinson MN
NYC Dept of Cultural Affairs
Foundations & Philanthropic
Cameron Foundation
Fisher Foundation
Affordable Housing & Development
Brownsville Housing Development
Liberty Northside Healing Center
San Juan PR Redevelopment
UMFREA
Support Lowcountry Artists
Rise Chattanooga
Engagements include work completed through Pollen LLC and prior leadership roles in nonprofit real estate development and cultural infrastructure consulting.
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