Director of Development

Tennessee Nonprofit Network

Location: Nashville, TN

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Salary Range: $80,000 - $85,000 annually

Please submit a cover letter and resume.

WHO WE ARE

We believe that nonprofits are stronger together. Tennessee Nonprofit Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, serving as the state association for nonprofits in Tennessee. Our network brings together 1000’s of nonprofits across Tennessee to learn, advocate, and collaborate. The mission of Tennessee Nonprofit Network (TNN) is to build the momentum of the nonprofit sector in Tennessee to drive equitable, measurable, and lasting change.

Central to our programming is our work in leading community initiatives, expanding sector research, convening community conversations and events, and working alongside community partners to advance public policy work impacting our sector. We believe that strengthening nonprofit organizations and the nonprofit sector is a conduit for influencing broader societal change and must include an emphasis on increasing equity and accountability throughout the sector. We seek to continually learn and to listen to the needs of those we serve and authentically meet nonprofit organizations where they are. We envision a nonprofit workforce where individuals are reaching their maximum potential and are motivated to continue to work for the greater good. Our vision is for the nonprofit sector to form equitable partnerships with philanthropy, business, and government sectors in united efforts to solve community challenges.

Tennessee Nonprofit Network recognizes that our people are our most valuable asset. Our capacity for growth and creating impact is dependent on shared trust, respect, and professionalism. We believe that everyone on our team brings unique gifts and adds value, and everyone on our team has opportunities, and is called upon, to make meaningful contributions to the organization in pursuit of our mission.

Tennessee Nonprofit Network is committed to an inclusive, fair, equitable, and safe workplace. Tennessee Nonprofit Network strives to create a workplace and staff that reflects the exciting diversity of the community that TNN serves.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Development is responsible for the successful implementation and coordination of the Tennessee Nonprofit Network fundraising and sustainability strategy. This includes acting as the dedicated lead for donor relations, grant writing, grant management, and corporate partnerships, ensuring the consistent execution of development goals to support the organization's mission. This role is central to securing the resources necessary to empower Tennessee nonprofits, elevating the sector's impact through robust financial support and strategic philanthropic engagement.

While all employees are asked to make broad contributions of time and expertise to support the development of Tennessee Nonprofit Network, assist team members, and help with the execution of events, the specific responsibilities of the Director of Development are as follows:

Essential Functions:

• Lead Development Strategy and Implementation
• Oversee the annual fundraising timeline, coordinating activities across individual giving, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants.
• Manage the development budget and ensure the efficient utilization of resources to meet or exceed annual revenue targets.
• Lead Grant Writing and Grants Management
• Manage the full grant lifecycle, including identifying new foundation, corporate, and government funding opportunities that align with Tennessee Nonprofit Network's mission.
• Write, edit, and submit high-quality grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and reports, ensuring all deadlines and compliance requirements are met.
• Collaborate with staff to gather data and narratives required to demonstrate impact to funders
• Develop and Lead Donor Engagement Programs
• Design and execute a comprehensive donor stewardship plan to increase retention and upgrade existing donors across West, Middle, Northeast, Southeast, and Rural Tennessee.
• Develop and distribute collateral and messaging that emphasizes the professionalism, transparency, and economic impact of the nonprofit sector to prospective funders.
• Manage Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships
• Lead the corporate engagement strategy by identifying potential partners and creating sponsorship packages aligned with Tennessee Nonprofit Network programs and events.
• Manage the scope of work for external fundraising consultants or platforms, ensuring high return on investment for development tools.
• Ensure Regional Fundraising Nuance and Collaboration
• Act as the primary consultant to ensure development appeals and case statements are adapted to resonate with the specific philanthropic cultures of different Tennessee regions.
• Highlight collaboration stories in funding proposals to reinforce the sector’s collective impact and address funder interest in efficiency and scaled results.
• Measurement, Evaluation, and Reporting
• Track key performance indicators (KPIs) including donor acquisition costs, gift frequency, and grant win rates.
• Ensure payments
• Conduct regular audits of the donor database to ensure data integrity and provide accurate financial forecasting to the executive leadership team.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Model TNN guiding principles in all interactions, internal and external to TNN.
• Contribute to TNN efforts to ensure equitable internal practices and support the development of a diverse and effective staff team and Board of Directors.
• Model continuous learning and stay abreast of relevant nonprofit topics and literature, particularly concerning public perception and trust.
• Be knowledgeable of all aspects of TNN’s programs and services.
• Assist in cultivating and maintaining good relationships with nonprofit members.
• Support the TNN staff in building relationships with local and statewide organizations, including philanthropic organizations, businesses, and public sector partners.

POSITION EXPECTATIONS

The Director of Development should demonstrate the following attributes, skills, or experience:

• Advanced understanding of fundraising principles, donor relations, and large-scale development campaign management.
• Expertise in grant writing, including the ability to research, draft, and submit successful proposals to foundation, corporate, and government funders.
• Deep knowledge of Tennessee's diverse regional philanthropic landscapes and the ability to engage community leaders and high-net-worth individuals.
• Three or more years of work experience in nonprofit development, grant writing, fundraising, or a relevant equivalent combination of work, volunteering, training, or academic experience.
• The ability to communicate information and ideas effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences so others will understand. The employee must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations and must be able to express oneself effectively through written communication.
• Intermediate technology and computer skills and a working knowledge of:
• Donor management systems (CRMs) for tracking contributions and donor engagement.
• Grant research databases and project management software to track deadlines and deliverables.
• A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB).
• Personal qualities of integrity, honesty, respect, and a commitment to Tennessee Nonprofit Network mission and guiding principles.

The Director of Development will be expected to:

• Problem-solve, think critically, and synthesize complex data from the 2024 Tennessee Nonprofit Compensation Survey Report and other sources into actionable fundraising messaging.
• Work collaboratively as part of a team as well as work independently and often remotely with little hands-on direction.
• Receive and give supportive feedback to foster equity and inclusion in working relationships and service delivery.
• Develop and adhere to project budgets and timelines, manage multiple fundraising projects concurrently, and consistently meet deadlines.

COMPENSATION

The salary range for this role is $80,000 - $85,000 annually. TNN offers an option for medical health insurance coverage (80% employer paid) with options for employee-paid dental and vision coverage. All full-time employees are eligible to participate in TNN’s 401k Plan with an employer match of up to 2% of the employee’s annual salary. TNN offers a flexible work environment and a generous holiday schedule. TNN provides a Flexible PTO plan which allows employees to take approved time off as needed for appointments, illness, family leave, or self-care. TNN provides opportunities and funds for professional development for all employees.

Physical Conditions/Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation will be made as needed to enable all qualified individuals to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly will be required to communicate with other employees and community members, both in-person and virtually using technology platforms provided by TNN. The employee will be required to participate in regular meetings and may be asked to lead meetings or events.

The employee frequently will be required to remain in a stationary position for long durations of time. The employee will be required to constantly operate a computer and may be asked to operate other office machinery, such as a computer printer or copy machine. The employee may occasionally be required to move items and equipment weighing up to 20 pounds (e.g., training materials, swag). The employee will be required to travel periodically throughout the state to key counties (Davidson, Shelby, Knox, Hamilton, Rutherford) for trainings and outreach, and may be required to drive or arrange transportation for themselves to offsite events.

This is a full-time position with a hybrid office and remote work schedule. The employee will be required to work in an office environment. The employee will adhere to all TNN personnel policies for remote work. All office equipment reasonably required to perform work remotely will be provided by TNN. The scheduling of in-person versus remote work is at the discretion of the employee’s direct supervisor and is subject to change. This position may occasionally require some evening and weekend activity to accommodate regional events and trainings.

CANDIDATES SHOULD SUBMIT BOTH A RESUME AND A COVER LETTER, SPECIFICALLY DETAILING EXPERIENCE IN FUNDRAISING.