Tony Brandolino

As Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet Illinois, Tony Brandolino is responsible for securing major and planned gifts.  Tony comes to  Transformation Through Education with over 35 years of fundraising experience having raised  over $100 million for various arts, education and religious organizations in the Chicagoland  area.  Over the years, his expertise in securing major gifts has helped many organizations achieve their fundraising goals. 

Tony is also an accomplished musician and during college, he toured with the group “Up With  People,” a performance ensemble comprised of young people throughout the world.  He has  performed for the Prime Ministers of Italy and Canada and played his accordion at St. Peter’s  Square for Saint Pope John Paul II.

A self-taught master of the organ, Tony currently serves as the Music Director for the Church of  St. Jude in Joliet, IL.  He plays the organ and sings at weddings, funerals as well as Sunday and  special Liturgies.  He has been a church organist for over 30 years.

Tony is involved in his community and serves as a volunteer for the American Italian Cultural  Society as a Festa Italiana Committee member and founder of the event. He lives in Crest Hill, IL  and enjoys travelling and spending quality time with his family and especially his five grandsons.