4-H Foundation Alumni & Grants Coordinator, Tennessee 4-H Foundation: UT Extension

University of Tennessee•Knoxville, TN

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Alumni & Grants Coordinator helps the Tennessee 4-H Foundation strengthen support for the statewide Tennessee 4-H program. The role reconnects alumni with 4-H, builds relationships with donors, and pursues grant funding to support opportunities for 4-H members across Tennessee. The coordinator works with Foundation staff, Tennessee 4-H leadership, county Extension professionals, volunteers, and funding partners. The position leads and develops the Tennessee 4-H Alumni & Friends program, including its communications, events, recognition, networking, and volunteer opportunities. It also researches and secures grants, supports giving and donor stewardship, maintains donor information and engagement data, and contributes to other Foundation priorities as assigned by the Executive Director of the Tennessee 4-H Foundation. This is a grant-funded position contingent on continued grant funding. The position is based at the UT campus in Knoxville and is hybrid after a probationary period. It requires travel throughout Tennessee and occasional evening or weekend work.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
1–2 years of experience in a development-related position, such as fundraising, sales, marketing, alumni engagement, academic affairs, 4-H, or other nonprofit experience.
Excellent written, editing, and proofreading skills.
Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities, including the ability to communicate effectively with donors, volunteers, alumni, and organizational leaders.
Knowledge of fundraising principles, donor stewardship, and annual giving strategies.
Ability to research, write, and manage grants.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and database systems.
Strong organizational and project management skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and use discretion when handling donor information.
Ability to work independently and contribute effectively as a team member.
Ability to analyze data and prepare reports.
Willingness to travel throughout Tennessee and occasionally work evenings or weekends.
Legal authorization to work full-time in the United States without current or future need for employment-based visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Experience with donor databases, higher education fundraising, and/or outdoor recreation organizations or nonprofits.
Strong presentation skills.
Experience with donor database systems such as Raiser’s Edge, Blackbaud, Salesforce, or similar CRM platforms.
Experience working in higher education, Extension, youth development, or nonprofit organizations.
Experience managing grant-funded projects and reporting requirements.
Knowledge of Tennessee Extension, specifically the Tennessee 4-H Program.
Highly developed interpersonal skills and an affinity for networking.
Strong social and networking skills with a customer-service orientation.
Ability to manage complex problems and projects through creative problem-solving and resourcefulness.
Knowledge of the Extension system, specifically 4-H youth development.
Knowledge of document layout and photo software such as Adobe InDesign and Adobe Photoshop.

Responsibilities

Lead, design, launch, evaluate, and continually improve the Tennessee 4-H Alumni & Friends program.
Develop alumni communications, events, recognition, networking, and volunteer opportunities.
Research and evaluate grant funding opportunities and manage a strategic grants calendar and pipeline.
Write grant proposals, budgets, narratives, and reports; coordinate submissions and monitor compliance.
Build and maintain relationships with funders.
Develop annual giving campaigns and donor stewardship initiatives.
Manage donor communications and recognition.
Maintain the Foundation’s CRM database, analyze giving and engagement data, and conduct prospect research.
Coordinate donor events and fundraising activities.
Contribute to other Foundation priorities as assigned by the Executive Director of the Tennessee 4-H Foundation.