Tennessee Nonprofit Network launched three Community Action Councils (CACs) in 2024 to serve as ambassadors for our organization and be our “ears to the ground” in their local communities to unearth community needs and challenges. You can learn more about the full roster of CAC members here.
This week, we introduce you to Katie Earheart-Brown! Katie Earheart-Brown is the Development and Communications Director for Page Robbins Adult Day Center in Collierville, TN. She has been in this role since graduating from Hendrix College in 2013. Katie is a Memphis native and loves being a helper in the 901. Currently, Katie is the Communications Chair for the Association of Fundraising Professionals Memphis Chapter. She is married to Paul, and they have a daughter, Caroline, who Katie says is the funniest and cutest child in the whole wide world! She also has a dog, Conway, named after the town in Arkansas.
What excites you about the work that Tennessee Nonprofit Network is doing?
I am overjoyed that Tennessee Nonprofit Network is expanding their services statewide. The more nonprofits, the better! I’m so excited to see what an expanded network will contribute to this already amazing organization. I have received such great benefit from your trainings and information sharing. You also provide wonderful opportunities for nonprofits to network, and I love having a source for advocacy updates that is nonpartisan.
What do you think the biggest challenges are for nonprofits right now?
As a Development Director, I have to say the budget! My organization is struggling with our budget more than we have in a long while, and I know many other nonprofits are in the same boat. Our expenses are outpacing our ability to fundraise. We have worked very hard to increase our staff pay and benefits, but funding these larger expenses long-term and keeping up other rising expenses is proving very difficult.
What do you love about the nonprofits in your area?
In my experience, we have a wonderful community of nonprofits who truly want to see our community thrive. We love and care for this place, and we refuse to give up on it. Memphis nonprofits are heavy lifters. People have all kinds of negative things to say about the Memphis area, but not many have good solutions to address (real and/or perceived) issues. Our nonprofits do quiet, thankless work that keep this community going.
Describe your role at your company/organization and what a typical day looks like.
I am the Development and Communications Director. Because I work at a small organization, I wear many hats (that are not always my own). For example, when our Executive Director is out-of-pocket, I take the helm and help with her responsibilities. As for my role, I am in charge of all digital and print communications. I create and/or proof all external communications (including graphic design). I’m in charge of our branding, media, and public relations. I am also our main tech troubleshooter and wordsmith. As the Development Director, I am in charge of all fundraising activities, both behind-the-scenes operations and out-in-the-field community engagement. I write and implement all of our grants and lead all of our donor stewardship efforts. And I assist in coordinating our fundraising events. I also will be starting and leading a Young Professionals Advisory Group for Page Robbins this fall. My days look different each day, and I love that! I spend a lot of time in front of the computer on Canva or Bloomerang. I also send and receive a lot of emails. And I try to attend as many community events as I am able.
What do you like to do for fun?
Unfortunately, I don’t have much free time because I work full-time, and I am a mom of an 18-month-old (Caroline). Most of my fun revolves around her (and she’s SUPER fun!). She was born on the winter solstice (longest night), so I like to say that every day of Caroline is more and more sunshine! We like to be outside as much as the weather will allow, and we spend lots of time playing. My husband and I enjoy watching Good Mythical Morning on YouTube. And we all love spending time with family and friends.
Name a nonprofit leader that inspires you and tell us why.
Jeanette O’Bryant, Development Director at Literacy Mid-South. Jeanette was the President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Memphis Chapter for two years while I was on the Board. She is a true go-getter! Jeanette has done amazing things for our city through her work at the National Civil Rights Museum, Collage Dance Collective, and now Literacy Mid-South. She leads with humility and creativity and does lots of thankless, behind-the-scenes work to make sure Memphis and the Memphis fundraising community thrive.
If someone were to visit you, where would you take them to eat?
I used to be much more “in the know” on restaurants, but now I have an 18-month-old with food allergies, so we rarely go out to eat. If we have friends in town, we like to take them to Wiseacre‘s Headquarters Downtown for local brew and Little Bettie. I also think Kinfolk in Harbor Town would be a great place to take guests for breakfast!
What’s your favorite movie and why?
Ever After. It’s a Cinderella retelling with Drew Barrymore. It was one of my first favorite movies, and I don’t think anything will ever top it. I can remember vividly my parents taking me to Blockbuster and picking out a movie to watch on the weekend. I rented Ever After countless times. It’s a movie that reminds me of the magic of childhood.
Any book recommendations?
So many! My favorite book so far this year has been The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune. It’s precious, funny, and heartwarming. My favorite audiobook is Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri. The author narrates the audiobook, and it’s AMAZING! It’s a creative memoir about his young life as a refugee. It’s a beautiful ode to storytelling – a definite must-read.
What change do you most want to see in the nonprofit sector?
I would LOVE to see a change in the way we do fundraising. There are so many “red flags” in fundraising that bother me. I often wonder if the current donor-centric way of fundraising is increasing the wealth gap and giving more power to those who already have lots of power.
How can nonprofits in your area benefit from becoming a member of Tennessee Nonprofit Network?
Nonprofits are better when we work together! There’s a whole world of resources out there that can make your organization better, and it’s impossible to have enough time in a day to find them on your own. TNN has a wealth of knowledge and expertise ready to help.