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

University of Tennessee • Knoxville, IA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Tennessee 4-H Foundation Alumni & Grants Coordinator turns alumni goodwill into lasting support for Tennessee 4-H. The role reconnects alumni with the program, builds donor relationships, and pursues grants that fund opportunities for 4-H members statewide. The coordinator works with Foundation staff, Tennessee 4-H leadership, county Extension professionals, volunteers, and funding partners. This is a grant-funded position contingent upon continued grant funding.

The position leads and grows the Tennessee 4-H Alumni & Friends program; researches, secures, and administers grant funding; develops giving and donor stewardship efforts; and contributes to other Foundation priorities as assigned by the Executive Director of the Tennessee 4-H Foundation. The role is based at the UT campus in Knoxville and is hybrid after the probationary period.

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 work.
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities.
• 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 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.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States full-time without needing employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future.

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 and networking skills with a strong 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 and grow the Tennessee 4-H Alumni & Friends program.
• Develop communications, events, recognition, networking, and volunteer opportunities to engage alumni; design, launch, evaluate, and continually improve the program.
• Research and evaluate 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.

Benefits

• Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and development and training opportunities.
• UT Benefits are referenced, but specific benefits are not listed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level