The Opportunity
As Second Harvest embarks on this exciting and ambitious next chapter, the organization is seeking a dynamic, mission-driven leader to serve as its next Chief Philanthropy Officer (“CPO”).
The CPO will play a central role in advancing Second Harvest’s mission, positioning the organization to continue to meet rising need in the years ahead as well as the transition to our new campus in early 2028. The CPO is responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive philanthropy and engagement strategy that supports annual and long-term revenue goals. Specifically, this includes exceeding a revenue goal of ~$15M annually (~$12M individual, corporate, planned giving and grants, and ~$2M events, peer to peer, and CRM), and partnering with the Marketing team to achieve their ~$5M annual revenue goal. In addition, this leader will partner across the organization to support a Capital Campaign that is expected to kick off mid-2026 with a goal exceeding $75 million.
Reporting directly to the President & CEO, the CPO is a key member of the senior leadership team. Leading a team of 28 (with five direct reports including: Director, Community Engagement; Senior Director, Corporate Engagement; Director, Business & Donor Analytics; Director, Development Operations; and External Affairs Assistant), the CPO oversees all fundraising programs, donor engagement, stewardship, donor data and analytics, revenue generating events, volunteer engagement, and community engagement initiatives. The role strengthens the organization’s presence and reputation within the community, deepens stakeholder relationships, and advances a culture of philanthropy and service that fuels mission impact. This position requires an individual who enjoys and is particularly skilled in interfacing with a high volume of donors, with the ambition to maximize untapped opportunities, as well as attract new supporters aligned to the organization's work and mission.
The CPO partners closely with the President & CEO, Board of Directors, and internal leaders to cultivate a strong culture of philanthropy across the organization and ensure sustainable revenue growth.
Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Fundraising Strategy & Execution
• Lead all aspects of the Development function, including strategy, financial oversight, and team management.
• Develop and lead a multi-year philanthropy strategy with annual KPIs aligned to organizational priorities and growth objectives, ensuring strong integration across all aspects of external affairs, including fundraising, community engagement, marketing, and financial planning.
• Creatively diversify revenue streams—taking smart, strategic risks to unlock new funding opportunities.
• Serve as strategic advisor to the President & CEO on philanthropy, volunteer, and community engagement trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Inspire, engage, and retain donors and volunteers engaged in Second Harvest’s work and mission.
• Plan and carefully manage the philanthropy budget, so that resources are allocated accurately, efficiently, and effectively to assure adequate support for Second Harvest’s mission.
Team Leadership, Management, & Collaboration
• Recruit, develop, and empower the Development team to reach new levels of success.
• Drive performance management, a strong results orientation, and healthy team culture through effective objective-setting, coaching, action-plan monitoring, and evaluation of outcomes.
• Partner closely with the Director of Marketing and Communications to ensure collaboration and seamless execution of all areas of brand management, marketing, communications, and public relations.
• Collaborate with organizational leaders on capital campaign or comprehensive campaigns.
• Collaborate with and support Second Harvest senior leadership team, staff, board members, and advisory committee members with respect to cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts.
• Serve as development liaison to the Strategic Partnership and Program Committee.
Philanthropy and Donor Engagement
• Personally steward a portfolio of major/transformational donors and prospects, providing comprehensive, timely, and innovative stewardship.
• Ensure that all stakeholders have a consistently positive experience with Second Harvest by making sure communication and engagement is appropriate, timely, and on brand.
• Oversee database accuracy and analysis that delivers actionable insights to target supporters.
Volunteer and Community Engagement, & Event Management
• Lead the strategic direction, oversight, and alignment of volunteer and community engagement across the organization, including donor events – positioning the organization as a thought leader and essential community partner.
• Use analytics, data, and donor feedback to improve community engagement, volunteer, and event strategy/outcomes.
• Ensure volunteers are effectively recruited, trained, managed, and stewarded as key ambassadors and supporters.
• Build and maintain relationships with community leaders, civic groups, faith-based organizations, and local businesses – strengthening community partnerships, visibility, and trust.
Candidate Profile
While it is understood that no candidate will offer every desired skill, quality, and characteristic, the following offers a detailed, aspirational view of the ideal candidate profile:
An Expert in Fundraising & Development
This leader will have:
• Deep knowledge of, and credibility within, the fundraising and philanthropy field, grounded in progressive leadership experience across multiple forms of giving.
• A strong personal orientation toward ambitious fundraising, including comfort engaging at the highest levels of donor investment.
• High analytical and financial literacy, with the ability to interpret data, assess trends, and connect insights to strategy.
• Exceptional organization, attention to detail, and follow-through, paired with a results-oriented mindset.
• Genuine passion for philanthropy and belief in the power of fundraising to advance mission and impact.
An Inspirational & Collaborative Team Leader
This leader will bring:
• A people-centered leadership style rooted in trust, integrity, and respect for others.
• Strong judgment, prioritization, and problem-solving skills, enabling clarity and confidence in complex environments.
• A deep commitment to developing, mentoring, and empowering others to do their best work.
• The ability to influence, motivate, and inspire teams and partners through example and shared purpose.
• A collaborative orientation that values transparency, shared decision-making, and collective success.
A Strategic, Creative, & Results-Oriented Thinker
This leader will be:
• A big-picture thinker with the ability to balance vision with action.
• Entrepreneurial and self-directed, bringing high energy, initiative, and ownership to their work.
• Agile and curious, eager to learn, adapt, and evolve in response to changing conditions.
• A creative and innovative thinker who continuously imagines new ways to engage donors and supporters.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity while maintaining focus, momentum, and accountability.
An Exceptional Relationship Builder & Communicator
This leader will bring:
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, building authentic trust with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, paired with the ability to translate complexity into clarity.
• Comfort integrating data into persuasive narratives.
• A consultative, collaborative approach that strengthens partnerships across teams, leadership, and the Board.
• The ability to bring people together, aligning relationships around shared goals and values.
A Deep Commitment to the Mission
This leader will bring:
• Genuine passion for Second Harvest’s mission, values, and impact.
• A strong sense of purpose and the ability to bring the mission to life in ways that inspire others.
• A personal commitment to equity, transparency, and community-centered practices.
• The highest standards of integrity, ethics, and accountability.
• Respect for diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and perspectives, fostering an inclusive and values-driven culture.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience, with a generous benefits package including:
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (Second Harvest Food Bank covers 100% of the employee-only contributions for each)
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer funding
• 100% employer paid Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability
• 403B Retirement Plan (After 1 Year, Second Harvest provides up to 3% contribution match and a 5% base contribution of the employee’s compensation, length of service vesting)
• 12 Sick Days Accrued/Year & 15 Vacation Days Accrued/Year (accruals increase according to length of service schedule) and 10 Paid Holidays
Location
The successful candidate will be based in, or willing to relocate to, Nashville, Tennessee. This role is expected to be in-person and highly visible, with a regular presence at Second Harvest’s offices and throughout the community.
Contact
DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Cheryl Stevens and Claire Hunt. Express interest in this role by filling out our Talent Profile: https://talent-profile.dsgco.com/search/v2/22832 or emailing the search team directly at [email protected]. All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential.
DSG | Koya is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee (“Second Harvest”) is a leader in the fight against hunger, working to ensure all community members have the food they need to thrive. For nearly 50 years, Second Harvest has welcomed neighbors with radical hospitality, providing food and resources with care and dignity.
A member of the Feeding America network, Second Harvest is the largest hunger relief organization in Tennessee. The organization collaborates with individuals, nonprofits, and corporate partners to create lasting change across 46 counties in Middle and West Tennessee. In 2024, Second Harvest distributed more than 50 million pounds of food to 615 partner agencies across the region.
This tremendous impact is made possible through a holistic, community-centered approach that includes:
• Food for Today: Access to food is a fundamental human right. Second Harvest meets neighbors’ immediate food needs through disaster relief efforts, distributions to Partner Agencies/program sites, mobile distributions, and neighbor care pantries. The organization works with more than 720 sourcing partners – including more than 500 grocery stores, along with local farmers and food manufacturers – to rescue quality food that might otherwise go to waste and provide fresh, nutritious options for neighbors.
• Food for Tomorrow: To address the root causes of food insecurity, Second Harvest partners with local agencies and service providers to connect neighbors with essential resources like healthcare, housing, legal assistance, and access to critical government programs/benefits.
• Food for a Lifetime: Through workforce development, nutrition education, and other resources provided with strategic partners, Second Harvest works to empower neighbors to break cycles of poverty and build a stronger community for the future.
Second Harvest has a track record of innovation and deep commitment to advancing long-term hunger solutions. More information about the organization’s robust programming can be found in the most recent Annual Report, linked HERE.
Looking Ahead:
Building on its strong reputation and history of impact, Second Harvest has begun imagining its next chapter. This is a critical moment for the organization: across the region, people of all backgrounds are facing increased needs. Currently 1 in 7 neighbors in Second Harvest’s region are facing food insecurity, and demand for food assistance has increased by 46% since 2020.
As a part of this next chapter, Second Harvest will continue its efforts toward the goals outlined in its current strategic plan (ending in FY26), including:
• Beyond Food: Building an intentional network of partners to connect neighbors to services, case management, and other food security work.
• Nourish and Access: Ensuring neighbors have access to food and other assistance in a dignified and equitable manner.
• People and Belonging: Nurturing and sustaining an internal and external culture that reflects Second Harvest’s core values. Read more about the core values HERE.
• Sustainability: Growing sources of food, funding, and infrastructure to increase food security.
Second Harvest will soon begin building a new and expanded campus, which will allow the organization to grow its capacity to provide solutions for neighbors. This campus expansion will allow the organization to double distribution capacity, create space for wraparound services, and strengthen partnerships to support a resilient, sustainable, and community-driven food system.
For more information about Second Harvest, please visit their website: https://www.secondharvestmidtn.org/.