ABOUT PROJECT RETURN

Project Return is solely dedicated to the successful new beginnings of the men and women returning to the community from incarceration. Project Return is nationally known for our innovative, high-volume reentry program resulting in high employment, low recidivism, and changed lives. Our vision is a full and free life after incarceration.

Each year, thousands of people in Tennessee are released from incarceration and return to our community, only to face often insurmountable odds as they strive to build their new lives.  Their motivation brings them to the doorstep of Project Return, where we’ve served this vulnerable community for over 40 years, continuing to grow and deliver hope and life-changing opportunities. Project Return works with people who want more than anything to start a new life after incarceration and leave prison behind. We are committed to every person’s humanity and dignity, and their right to live fully and freely in this world.

Mass incarceration is one of the defining dilemmas of our day. Nothing about addressing mass incarceration can be effective, unless we assure that people have opportunities to succeed when they are released. Gainful employment is the key that opens the door to a new life. Project Return provides the resources and services needed to gain employment and successfully reintegrate back into society.  Over 75% of our participants succeed in getting employment. This is the opposite of the national averages, in which up to 70% of people are unemployed for their first year after incarceration.

Project Return measures the success of our services through high employment and low recidivism. While the state and national recidivism rates exceed 50%, the rate for people coming through Project Return is lower than 15%. We build relationships with people, walking alongside them and encouraging them every step of the way.

Prison in-reach – We are in jails and prisons every day, sparking connections with the men and women who are currently incarcerated and will soon gain their freedom in our community.

Workforce development – Employment is the most important factor for successful reentry. We deliver a 3-day curriculum – every week, to a new group of just-released individuals – that emphasizes soft skills and gets people job-ready.

Employment opportunities – Our Business Development team builds relationships with employers across the city and region, and engages to meet their workforce needs.

Through our social enterprise, we engage our people as productive members of society generating revenue for economic growth. 

Three Social Enterprises:

PRO Employment (“PROe”) is Project Return’s social enterprise for transitional staffing to bridge the critical chasm between prison and regular employment for individuals who want to live productively and leave prison behind. (Launched in 2013)

Property Solutions (“PROPS”) is a subsidiary of Project Return that operates as a full-service maintenance property solution for commercial and residential needs. PROPS also allows Project Return to generate more employment opportunities for the people it serves and provide hands-on job readiness training.  (Launched in 2017)

PRO Housing (“PROh”) is an affordable housing initiative dedicated specifically to meet the permanent housing needs of people who’ve returned from incarceration and have gotten their new lives on track, but unfortunately are excluded from rental opportunities due to their conviction history.  Currently PROh owns 32 units across six zip codes in Nashville. (Launched in 2017)

In 2021, Fast Company named Project Return “one of the 10 most innovative not-for-profit organizations.”

Founded in 1979, Project Return is an innovative and expanding organization, with an annual budget of $6.4 million and locations in Nashville and Chattanooga.

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the CEO, the Development Director of Project Return will have a pivotal role in elevating the organization’s fundraising efforts and expanding  revenue sources, allowing Project Return to maintain its work in providing reentry programming and opportunities for justice involved individuals.

As a key member of the senior management team, the Development Director leads the development of strategic philanthropic partnerships supporting the organization’s long-term strategies around growth, learning outcomes, and financial stability. The Director oversees the entire development operation for the organization including but not limited to annual campaign, major gifts, general giving, and special projects. The position develops and executes a board individual giving campaign, provides timely and accurate reports to the CEO and the Board of Directors regarding the progress of all fundraising activities, and handles all interdepartmental cooperative efforts involving development. This position is also responsible for ensuring a robust program for donor acknowledgement, stewardship and recognition.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

  • In collaboration with the leadership team, develops fundraising goals and action plans for campaigns and yearly revenue and assures that the dollar goal for all fundraising activities is met.
  • Builds on relationships to expand and secure corporate sponsorships for Project Return events.
  • Develops and implements strategies to identify, cultivate and solicit individuals, foundations and organizations whose philanthropic interests are similar to Project Return.
  • Assists in identification of new prospects, donors, and volunteers.
  • Assesses current donor engagement efforts, identifies gaps, and develops actionable plans to improve donor relationships.
  • Develops and oversees donor acknowledgement and stewardship plan to ensure partners are recognized in a timely manner.
  • Plans and manages two main events per year, along with smaller touchpoints for donor engagement opportunities.
  • Coordinates with Staff and Board on their roles in donor engagement plans and timelines.
  • Provides timely and accurate reports to the CEO, Board of Directors and appropriate committees on progress of all fundraising and stewardship activities.
  • Develops budget for all development related activities; manages Development department records in line with organizational standards and objectives; and develops a yearly calendar that includes timetables, procedures and responsibilities to be accomplished.
  • Leverages communications and branding efforts, including social media, to share impact stories and organizational successes.
  • This position will be based in either Nashville or Chattanooga, and will drive an overarching plan that services both markets.

QUALIFICATIONS & CHARACTERISTICS:

The candidate is a strategic and sales-oriented individual, who has a keen understanding of best practices in fundraising, a proven track record of securing individual and corporate major and annual gifts, as well as event experience.

  • Experience in fundraising, non-profit management, sales, communications, or related field.
  • Minimum of five years of successful individual gifts development and direct fundraising and/or revenue development experience; director level experience preferred.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities.
  • Experience using donor database software.
  • Strong interpersonal and oral/written communication skills.
  • Proven track record of cultivating relationships, securing funding, and achieving revenue targets.
  • Entrepreneurial spirit with the ability to work alone as well as part of a team.
  • Experience working with the Nashville or Chattanooga area philanthropic community preferred.
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
  • CFRE certification preferred.
  • Commitment to Project Return’s mission and the ability to work respectfully with all people.

 

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION:

  • Project Return partners with the state of TN for our benefits package which includes full coverage of vision, dental, and medical for the Project Return employee. 
  • Salary Range: $90,000 – $105,000, depending on experience.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT POLICY

Project Return provides equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants for employment.  No person will be discriminated against because of race, religion, color, sex, age, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other class protected by applicable federal, state or local law.  Each person is judged on their own merit in determining employment and advancement opportunities.  Employees who make good faith reports or potential violations of this policy will not experience retaliation for making the report.

TO APPLY

Project Return has retained the services of ThinkingAhead Executive Search. Please submit your resume and expression of interest to: Chris Spagnola at cspagnola@thinkingahead.com. The application screening process is ongoing until a candidate is hired.