Job Description

Why Cheekwood?

Working at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens offers you the opportunity to work for one of the most beautiful places in Nashville. Formerly the home of Mabel and Leslie Cheek, Cheekwood now serves the public as a botanical garden, arboretum, and museum with period rooms and art galleries. At Cheekwood, you will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of roles tailored to your skills and interests. Whether you are passionate about horticulture, art curation, historical preservation, or one of our many other career opportunities, you would have the chance to thrive and make a meaningful impact here. Working in such a place that cherishes its rich history, vibrant art scene, and serene gardens offers a unique blend of fulfillment and inspiration. You will find yourself in a supportive environment where every day brings new opportunities for personal and professional growth, amidst the backdrop of picturesque setting.

What does the Cheekwood Development Team do and why join?

The development team at Cheekwood is responsible for securing the funding and resources needed to sustain and grow the organization. This includes organizing fundraising campaigns, cultivating relationships with donors, writing grant proposals, and managing membership programs. They also plan revenue-generating and community-building events, while fostering partnerships with local businesses, foundations, and government entities.

Joining our team is an exciting opportunity to put your skills to work in a meaningful way, directly supporting the funding that drives our mission at Cheekwood. This role allows you to share your creativity by building strong relationships with donors and community partners. You will work with every department, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the garden’s operations, from horticulture to education. It is a chance to make a real impact, grow professionally, and be part of a passionate team dedicated to history, nature, and inspiring others.

What will you be doing?

Reporting to the Senior Director of Development, the Manager is responsible for close to $500k in funding from private, corporate and government foundations. The Manager works interdepartmentally, maintaining deadlines, relationships, coordinating data and getting approvals. The Manager writes grants + letters of intent and meets deadlines. The Manager ensures foundations receive recognition and stewardship as required as well as identifies foundation prospects that align with our funding needs.

Essential Responsibilities

• Coordinates the grant proposal process for government and foundations in accordance with deadlines.
• Oversee all online submissions for grants and archives in shared drive.
• Partners interdepartmentally regarding content of proposals. Coordinates project budgets, photographs and maps, board & staff lists in addition to storytelling.
• Maintains internal shared calendar of deadlines for intradepartmental collaboration. Attends meetings with Education, Museum, Facilities, Programs to maintain connection, understand needs and listen for funding opportunities.
• Writes and submits proposals + supporting documents as required. Archives in shared drive.
• Manages reporting and budget alignment to ensure deadlines and requirements met.
• Tracks solicitations, prospecting and stewardship of foundation and government grant giving and prompts Senior Director for relationship stewardship as needed. Ensures recognition requirements are executed and documented; executes appropriate stewardship.
• Research prospects and remains abreast of any changes in requirements and deadlines.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree and 3 years’ experience in successful grant writing.
• Track record in project management, attention to details, and foundation grant writing.
• Excellent verbal/written communication, proofreading and organizational.
• Attention to details and ability meet deadlines.
• Strong understanding of AI to enhance writing and systems.
• Knowledge of Altru is a plus.
• Hybrid position; onsite for meetings and as needed.

Part-time Benefits

• Membership & Discounts: As an employee, you receive a Cheekwood membership, which entitles you to unlimited admission during regular Garden hours and a limited number of free tickets to special events. Members also receive discounts classes, ticketed events, and purchases at the Gift Shop. Your Cheekwood membership also include reciprocal admission for named members to more than 300 gardens though the American Horticultural Society.
• Reciprocal Admission: As an employee of Cheekwood you have free general admission access to many local cultural, historical, and art institutions as part of the employee admission program.