Sheri Pitman
Loudon,TN
Summary
Results-driven marketing, public relations and business/resource development professional with over 25 years of experience in nonprofit and corporate sectors. Specializes in enhancing visibility, cultivating donor relationships, and securing partnerships. Expertise in developing funding opportunities, managing grants, and leading capital campaigns and impactful events. Connects organizations with stakeholders and resources to drive revenue growth and long-term impact.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Development
Kids First Child Advocacy Center of the Ninth Judicial District & Iva's Place
06.2025 - Current
- Serve concurrently in a full-time Director of Development capacity for two separate nonprofit organizations, providing strategic leadership across fundraising, communications, marketing, public relations, events, and community engagement.
- Led comprehensive resource development efforts for both organizations, driving individual giving, corporate partnerships, sponsorships, donor prospecting, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and revenue growth.
- Manage multi-level fundraising and campaign initiatives, coordinating strategy, leadership engagement, prospect development, donor cultivation, campaign communications, and stewardship across multiple giving levels.
- Identified, cultivated, and secured new high-level donors and corporate partners; helped recruit and engage influential board members and community champions.
- Doubled event revenue within one year while increasing overall revenue, donor participation, sponsorship opportunities, and community engagement across both organizations.
- Directed marketing, public relations, media relations, social media, storytelling, and mission-focused communications, enhancing visibility and awareness throughout East Tennessee.
- Represented both organizations through speaking engagements, community presentations, media interviews, and networking opportunities, elevating organizational presence in the community.
- Designed and implemented mission-driven programs and strategic partnerships that bridged service gaps, enhanced participation and access, and strengthened each organization's mission delivery.
- Managed CRM and donor database platforms, maintained accurate records, tracked cultivation and stewardship activity, and used donor information to inform fundraising decisions and retention strategies.
Director of Development
Wesley House Community Center
10.2024 - 03.2025
- Oversaw the full fundraising cycle, from prospect identification and cultivation through solicitation, closing, and long-term donor and sponsor engagement.
- Led comprehensive development initiatives, increasing donor participation and retention rates.
- Led fundraising initiatives, secured corporate sponsorships, and cultivated donor relationships to exceed revenue goals.
- Spearheaded established events and developed and executed new fundraising and donor-engagement initiatives, using targeted marketing and relationship-building strategies to increase attendance, visibility, and giving.
- Managed donor database and tracked engagement metrics to improve fundraising strategies and strengthen donor retention.
- Developed mission-aligned programming and community partnerships, bridging service gaps and expanding organization's reach and impact.
- Developed strategic partnerships that expanded funding opportunities and increased community engagement.
- Developed compelling grant proposals, letters of inquiry, case statements, program narratives, budgets, and supporting materials that translated community needs into fundable opportunities.
- Collaborated with community organizations to expand outreach initiatives and promote awareness of child welfare issues, food insecurity and the need for senior support.
- Established partnerships with local businesses to secure sponsorships and in-kind donations for events.
- Managed grant writing processes, securing funding through detailed proposals aligned with organizational goals.
- Led cross-functional teams in organizing successful fundraising events, increasing community engagement and participation.
Grant Writer & Development Coordinator
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley
02.2024 - 07.2024
- Researched and developed persuasive grant proposals, letters of inquiry, program narratives, budgets, and supporting materials aligned with funder priorities, securing support for critical programs and services.
- Managed grants and funder relationships, coordinating award documentation, reporting calendars, and compliance requirements to ensure timely reporting and effective stewardship.
- Built and maintained grant prospect pipeline by researching foundations, corporations, and government agencies, evaluating eligibility and fit to prioritize strategic funding opportunities.
- Developed fundraising initiatives and program-support strategies to address unmet needs, remove barriers, and align mission priorities with sustainable funding.
Office/Administrative Associate
Knoxville Pediatric Associates
09.2023 - 02.2024
- Managed front-office operations while coordinating appointment scheduling to strengthen patient experience and streamline administrative efficiency.
- Served as point of contact for patients and families, coordinating communications and resolving concerns to support long-term client relationships.
- Coordinated billing and insurance processes while ensuring clear communication with patients and families.
- Processed insurance claims and verified patient eligibility using healthcare management software.
- Managed patient scheduling and appointment confirmations to enhance office efficiency.
- Coordinated communication between medical staff and patients, improving service delivery and satisfaction.
- Trained new administrative staff on office procedures and software applications for seamless onboarding.
- Increased customer satisfaction by promptly addressing inquiries and resolving issues.
- Acted as a liaison between office staff and upper management, communicating important updates and representing team interests in strategic discussions.
- Boosted employee morale by coordinating team-building activities, recognition programs, and social gatherings throughout the year.
- Organized and maintained electronic filing systems for easy retrieval of important documents and records.
- Supported executive staff with calendar management, travel arrangements, and meeting logistics.
- Managed reception area operations to maintain a professional atmosphere while ensuring visitor needs were met efficiently.
Education Support Coordinator/Teacher’s Aide
Christian Academy of Knoxville
08.2011 - 05.2012
- Coordinated educational materials and events to strengthen support for faculty and improve student engagement.
- Managed vendor relations for lunch orders, ensuring efficient execution of daily operations.
- Collaborated with educators and parents to facilitate communication and ensure consistent support strategies.
- Coordinated educational materials and events to enhance support for faculty and students.
- Collaborated with educators and parents to enhance communication and align support strategies for students.
- Coordinated support services for students and families, enhancing overall educational experience.
- Collaborated with community resources to provide additional support services to families in need.
- Coordinated meetings and events for internal and external groups.
- Coordinated extracurricular activities that promoted student engagement, leadership, and community involvement.
- Served on school committees focused on curriculum development, teacher evaluations, or community outreach initiatives to contribute positively to the overall school climate.
- Increased parental involvement in students' education by organizing regular communication and events.
Director of Marketing & Grant Writer
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley
01.2001 - 03.2004
- Supported the CEO by managing marketing and fundraising initiatives, contributing to revenue goals through strategic engagement and targeted outreach.
- Supported the CEO by managing marketing and fundraising initiatives that directly contributed to achieving revenue goals.
- Cultivated strong relationships with funders and community partners through timely communication, accurate reporting, and impactful storytelling, enhancing renewal opportunities and collaboration.
- Developed and executed event, sponsorship, and capital campaign strategies, coordinating communications and corporate support to drive fundraising efforts and organizational growth.
- Maintained strong relationships with funders and community partners through timely communication, accurate reporting, impact storytelling, recognition, and renewal cultivation.
- Cultivated strong relationships with funders and community partners through timely communication, accurate reporting, and impactful storytelling, enhancing renewal opportunities.
- Developed mission-focused programs and events to address service gaps and reduce barriers for youth and families.
Marketing Manager
Waves Pro Audio Processing
05.1999 - 12.2000
- Managed public relations and integrated marketing strategies to increase product visibility, strengthen brand positioning, and engage clients and industry partners.
- Coordinated trade shows and product promotions to build relationships and improve market visibility.
- Coordinated trade shows, product promotions, and industry outreach to cultivate relationships and enhance market visibility.
- Conducted market and audience research to optimize messaging and product positioning based on client needs.
Director of Public Relations
Worldwide Interactive Network (WIN Learning)
09.1998 - 04.1999
- Led marketing and PR initiatives, increasing visibility of nationwide professional development programs.
- Developed targeted marketing and outreach strategies, significantly expanding client base and program reach.
- Managed media relations and public speaking engagements, enhancing partnerships with key stakeholders.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Communications
University of Tennessee
Knoxville12-1998
Skills
- Fundraising Performance Analysis
- Campaign Fundraising Strategy
- Corporate sponsorships
- High-Value Donor Cultivation
- Grant writing
- Resource Development Strategy
- Nonprofit management
- Program development
- Capital campaigns
- Event planning
- Community Engagement Strategy
- Media engagement
- Marketing Strategy & Execution
- Relationship management
- Stakeholder management
- Communications & Public Speaking
- Legacy Giving Strategies
Timeline
Director of Development
Kids First Child Advocacy Center of the Ninth Judicial District & Iva's Place
06.2025 - Current
Director of Development
Wesley House Community Center
10.2024 - 03.2025
Grant Writer & Development Coordinator
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley
02.2024 - 07.2024
Office/Administrative Associate
Knoxville Pediatric Associates
09.2023 - 02.2024
Education Support Coordinator/Teacher’s Aide
Christian Academy of Knoxville
08.2011 - 05.2012
Director of Marketing & Grant Writer
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley
01.2001 - 03.2004
Marketing Manager
Waves Pro Audio Processing
05.1999 - 12.2000
Director of Public Relations
Worldwide Interactive Network (WIN Learning)
09.1998 - 04.1999
Bachelor of Science - Communications
University of Tennessee