About this role
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.
UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.
UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.
The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.
Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!
Tennessee 4-H has shaped generations of leaders, and its alumni and friends are some of its strongest champions. As the Alumni & Grants Coordinator, you will turn that goodwill into lasting support. You will reconnect alumni with the program, build meaningful relationships with donors, and pursue grants that fund real opportunities for 4-H members statewide. You will work alongside Foundation staff, Tennessee 4-H leadership, county Extension professionals, volunteers, and funding partners, and you will see the direct impact of your work on young people across Tennessee. If you are a strong writer, a natural relationship-builder, and someone who enjoys a mix of creative and analytical work, we would love to hear from you. This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon the continued funding of the grant.
Lead and grow the Tennessee 4-H Alumni & Friends program.
- Shape the communications, events, recognition, networking, and volunteer opportunities that bring alumni back and keep them engaged. You will design, launch, evaluate, and continually improve the program.
Find and secure grant funding.
- Research and evaluate funding opportunities, manage a strategic grants calendar and pipeline, write proposals, budgets, narratives, and reports, coordinate submissions, monitor compliance, and build lasting relationships with funders.
Grow giving and donor relationships.
- Develop annual giving campaigns and stewardship initiatives, manage donor communications and recognition, maintain the Foundation’s CRM database, analyze giving and engagement data, conduct prospect research, and coordinate donor events and fundraising activities.
Support the Foundation’s broader goals.
- Contribute to other Foundation priorities as assigned by the Executive Director of the Tennessee 4-H Foundation.
Required Qualifications
- Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Experience:
- 1–2 years of experience in a position related to development, such as fundraising, sales, marketing, alumni engagement, academic affairs, 4-H, or other nonprofit experience.
- Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Excellent written, 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 use discretion when handling donor information.
- Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as a member of a team.
- Ability to analyze data and prepare reports.
- Willingness to travel throughout Tennessee and occasionally work evenings or weekends.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience:
- 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.
- Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Highly developed interpersonal skills with an affinity for networking. Fully developed social skills and networking prowess 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.
Work Location
- Location: Knoxville Tn (UT campus)
- Onsite, Hybrid, or Remote: Hybrid (after probationary period)
Compensation and Benefits
- UT market range: MR 11
- Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
- Find more information on UT Benefits here
Application Instructions
To express interest, please submit an application with the attachments noted below. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before November 13, 2026.
- Resume
- Cover Letter
About The College/Department/Division
The Tennessee 4-H Foundation exists to help young Tennesseans learn, lead, and thrive. We support the statewide Tennessee 4-H program by building relationships and securing the resources that make positive youth development possible. Working with alumni, donors, volunteers, Extension professionals, and community partners, we help strengthen 4-H experiences for young people in every corner of the state. Join a mission-driven team where your work directly supports the next generation of leaders.