The MV Louise Michel is a civilian search-and-rescue vessel operating in the Central Mediterranean, one of the world's deadliest migration routes. Originally a French customs patrol boat, it was repurposed for humanitarian rescue work in 2020 with art and funding linked to the street artist Banksy, and has since completed 23 operational rotations, 51 rescue operations, and assisted close to 3,750 people at sea. Gia leads fundraising for Louise Michel, guiding the organisation through a critical transition from reliance on a single major patron toward a diversified, sustainable funding model.

Diversified Fundraising Strategy

Gia designed Louise Michel's funding strategy through 2027, combining artist and cultural philanthropy partnerships, institutional funding, individual giving, public campaigns, and earned income — moving the organisation from mostly a single-patron dependency toward a resilient, multi-stream funding base built around a small group of anchor supporters alongside broader public and institutional support.

Institutional & Foundation Funding

Gia is leading institutional funding conversations, to support upcoming rescue rotations, alongside outreach to foundations working across humanitarian action, migration and human rights, climate, and culture.

Individual Giving & Community Fundraising

Gia is building Louise Michel's individual donor and community fundraising programme from the ground up — developing recurring giving, a supporter membership model, and public crowdfunding campaigns designed to broaden ownership of the project beyond its founding supporters.

Campaign & Communications Alignment

Gia is leading a coordinated fundraising and communications campaign, aligning storytelling, media outreach, and content production (including commissioning Louise Michel's flagship promotional film) around a single strategic narrative to strengthen the organisation's visibility and long-term supporter base.