Dendy Jarrett
Nashville,TN
Summary
Accomplished nonprofit executive with 35+ years of experience leading mission-driven organizations focused on education, conservation, outdoor recreation, and philanthropy. Currently serving as CEO of Give A Note Foundation (since January 2024), a national nonprofit that has provided $1.5+ million in grants to 280+ schools impacting over 80,000 students nationwide. Concurrently leading the WBCCI Foundation as President and CEO, with a mission to preserve and promote an outdoors-oriented lifestyle while supporting and protecting natural environments. Former Executive Director of the Gibson Foundation, overseeing $30+ million in philanthropic programs. Proven track record in strategic partnership development with federal agencies, multi-million dollar revenue generation, and building collaborative networks across diverse stakeholder groups.
Knowledgeable CEO with proven track record of driving company growth and enhancing operational efficiency. Successfully led high-impact initiatives resulting in significant improvements in profitability and market positioning. Demonstrated leadership in strategic planning and stakeholder management.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Executive Officer
Give A Note Foundation
01.2024 - Current
- Company Overview: Leading a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit created to bring awareness to the importance of music and arts education, with a mission to engage and empower educators, inspire students, and expand the reach and impact of music education across every student, every school, and every community.
- $1.5+ Million Grant Portfolio: Overseeing grants to 280+ schools across 100+ communities nationwide, directly impacting over 80,000 students through innovative music education programs
- Music Tech Empowers Initiative: Launched $100,000 grant investment creating two coast-to-coast Music Tech classrooms, including $50,000 grants to Campbell High School (Georgia) and Woodburn High School (Oregon)
- Three-Year Strategic Growth: Leading $3 million expansion goal starting in 2024 to establish 30+ new music education programs in schools currently without full-time music education
- Corporate Partnerships: Developed strategic relationships with Huber Engineered Materials and other industry partners to fund innovative education technology programs
- Artist & Industry Relations: Coordinated high-profile events with musicians like Aaron Nigel Smith and industry professionals to celebrate program achievements and community impact
- Education Sector Collaboration: Built relationships with school districts from Pacific Northwest to Southeast, supporting hiring of new music educators and curriculum development
- COVID-19 Response Leadership: Previously managed Let's Play Music Fund providing 13,000+ pieces of PPE to qualified schools in 18 states during pandemic
- Equity-Focused Programming: Targeting underserved urban and rural communities where music education funding is scarce, with needs-based assessment including Title 1 status and student demographics
- Leading a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit created to bring awareness to the importance of music and arts education, with a mission to engage and empower educators, inspire students, and expand the reach and impact of music education across every student, every school, and every community.
President and CEO
WBCCI Foundation
01.2017 - Current
- Company Overview: Leading the philanthropic arm of Airstream Club International (WBCCI), a 501(c)(3) organization representing 'Airstream Owners Giving Back' with a mission to preserve and promote an outdoors-oriented lifestyle while supporting and protecting natural environments enjoyed by outdoor recreation enthusiasts.
- National Forest Foundation Partnerships: Built strategic relationships with NFF, including direct collaboration with NFF CEO, Dieter Fenkart Froeschl to provide lift and support across their programs, parks and locations.
- State Parks Collaboration: Developed ongoing partnerships with state park systems, including Katy Trail State Park (longest trail in Rails to Trails Conservancy network spanning hundreds of miles)
- Federal Land Management Relations: Established cooperative relationships supporting conservation efforts across national forests, wildlife refuges, and conservation areas
- Tread Lightly! Partnership: Official Partner providing grants supporting responsible outdoor recreation education and stewardship programs
- Annual Rally Fundraising: Manage fundraising operations reaching 1,000 to 2,000+ Airstream owners at International Rallies, generating thousands annually for conservation initiatives
- Global Impact Partnership Program: Allocate percentage-based funding to strategic nonprofit partners aligned with conservation and outdoor recreation missions
- Crisis Response Leadership: Led Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief Fund raising $35,000, providing $5,000 grants to six privately-owned campgrounds without flood insurance and supporting displaced residents
- Remote Network Management: Successfully lead distributed foundation operations across 12 WBCCI regions nationwide, coordinating with regional representatives and managing virtual board governance
- Strategic Program Innovation: Launched '22N22' campaign encouraging $22 donations from 7,797+ memberships to raise $170,000+ for conservation initiatives which has continued to 23N23, 24N24, and now 25N25.
- Legacy Program Management: Oversee WBCCI Legacy Program Common Cents for Kids providing restricted funding for families with children facing medical needs and local nonprofits serving special needs communities through Care Camps Foundation in cooperation with KOA.
- Leading the philanthropic arm of Airstream Club International (WBCCI), a 501(c)(3) organization representing 'Airstream Owners Giving Back' with a mission to preserve and promote an outdoors-oriented lifestyle while supporting and protecting natural environments enjoyed by outdoor recreation enthusiasts.
Executive Director
Gibson Foundation (Gibson Gives)
01.2015 - 01.2024
- Company Overview: Led the relaunch and strategic transformation of Gibson's 501(c)(3) foundation, committed to introducing, inspiring, and amplifying the power of music across all generations, genders, and genres.
- $30+ Million Program Oversight: Managed foundation operations that had provided thousands of guitars and donations exceeding $30 million since 2002
- Strategic Partnership Development: Built and maintained relationships with legacy partners including MusiCares, The Grammy Foundation, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and Notes for Notes
- Board Relations: Reported to newly-formed Foundation Board while establishing governance structure for relaunched organization
- Daily Giving Initiative: Launched 'guitar-a-day for 1,000 days' program, demonstrating commitment to sustained philanthropic impact
- 100% Direct Impact Model: Established operational structure where 100% of donations go directly toward programs, with Gibson Brands underwriting all administrative expenses
- Scholarship Program Development: Created annual music scholarship program providing $5,000 cash grants plus guitars to students pursuing music education
- Natural Disaster Relief: Coordinated replacement of 300+ lost/damaged guitars for Nashville residents following 2020 tornado
- Public Health Initiative: Developed T.E.M.P.O. (Training and Empowering Musicians to Prevent Overdose) program, distributing emergency opioid kits to music venues addressing 100,000+ annual overdose deaths
- Led the relaunch and strategic transformation of Gibson's 501(c)(3) foundation, committed to introducing, inspiring, and amplifying the power of music across all generations, genders, and genres.
Music Industry & Digital Platforms
Gibson Guitar
01.1989 - 01.2015
- 35-year music industry veteran with extensive experience in digital platforms, content creation, industry relationship management, and strategic partnership development prior to foundation leadership roles, including leadership position at Harmony Central (a music education collaboration community) as well as the President of Slingerland Drum Company
Education
35-Year Music Industry Career Foundation -
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SCSkills
- National Education Program Leadership
- Federal Agency Partnership Development
- Strategic Fundraising & Grant Management
- Remote Team Leadership
- Public Lands Advocacy
- Cross-Sector Collaboration
- Nonprofit Turnaround Leadership
- Board Relations & Governance
- Crisis Response & Innovation
Timeline
Chief Executive Officer
Give A Note Foundation
01.2024 - Current
President and CEO
WBCCI Foundation
01.2017 - Current
Executive Director
Gibson Foundation (Gibson Gives)
01.2015 - 01.2024
Music Industry & Digital Platforms
Gibson Guitar
01.1989 - 01.2015
35-Year Music Industry Career Foundation -
University of South Carolina
Public Lands And Conservation Impact
Direct partnership experience with National Park Service superintendents and park foundations, Collaborative relationships with state park systems and trail conservancies, Active member of Tread Lightly! Official Partner network supporting responsible outdoor recreation education, Established giving relationships with organizations protecting off-road trail access and public lands, Board Service: WBCCI Foundation President, overseeing conservation-focused philanthropy, Executive Council: Member of Airstream Club International Executive Council (Big Red Number 22342), representing Region 6 in organizational governance, Sector Collaboration: Regular participation in outdoor recreation industry convenings and responsible recreation advocacy, Led multi-state disaster relief efforts supporting campground rebuilding and displaced resident assistance, Coordinated cross-sector response involving private campgrounds, nonprofits, and community organizations, Established precedent for foundation rapid response to natural disasters affecting outdoor recreation infrastructure
Education Sector Expertise
Overseeing $1.5+ million in education grants across 280+ schools and 100+ communities, Music Education Innovator Award program recognizing creative educators utilizing innovative strategies, Music Tech Empowers initiative supporting technology integration in underserved schools, Partnership development with school districts, administrators, and education policymakers, Artist and industry professional coordination for high-profile educational events, Equity-focused programming targeting Title 1 schools and underserved communities
Board Service And Community Engagement
- Chief Executive Officer, Give A Note Foundation, 2024-01-01, Present
- President and CEO, WBCCI Foundation, 2017-01-01, Present
- Executive Council Member, Airstream Club International, Current
Core Qualifications Alignment
Lifelong passion for conservation, education, and outdoor recreation demonstrated through current leadership of both Give A Note Foundation's national education mission and WBCCI Foundation's conservation focus. Personal commitment to ensuring public lands remain accessible for future generations while supporting educational opportunities that develop critical thinking, collaboration, and leadership skills., Collaborative, empathy-driven leadership focused on building trust across diverse stakeholder groups including educators, federal agencies, and conservation organizations. Proven ability to unite organizations around shared missions while maintaining individual organizational autonomy. Committed to inclusive participation and shared leadership models that amplify collective impact., Direct partnership experience with National Park Service superintendents and state park systems. Established relationships supporting conservation initiatives across national parks, state trails, and protected waterways. Understanding of cooperative agreements and public-private partnership models., Proven success managing multiple revenue streams including membership-based fundraising, corporate partnerships, special event coordination, crisis response fundraising, and strategic partnership development. Experience with both traditional fundraising and innovative giving programs across education and conservation sectors., Currently leading distributed operations for both Give A Note Foundation (national scope) and WBCCI Foundation (12 regions nationwide). Extensive experience managing virtual teams, coordinating multi-state initiatives, and maintaining organizational culture across geographic boundaries.
Additional Information
Demonstrated leadership in natural disaster response, pandemic relief coordination, and community support across multiple sectors, Unique combination of national education leadership and conservation/outdoor recreation advocacy, National networks spanning education institutions, federal land management agencies, and conservation partnerships, Experienced in regular travel for stakeholder engagement, with established relationships across federal land management agencies, education institutions, and conservation organizations nationwide.
Personal Information
Availability: Experienced in regular travel for stakeholder engagement.