Derria Ford

About Derria Ford

Non-profit Leader with extensive experience in grants development, fundraising, budget development, reporting, grant administration, program administration, workshop facilitation, communications, marketing, and non-profit management. Dedicated to positively impacting the community through strategic fundraising initiatives and donor relationship management. Adept at creating and implementing comprehensive development strategies to drive sustainable growth and enhance organizational effectiveness. Acknowledged for demonstrating favorable results in grant administration, grant solicitation, donor relations, and organizational success by driving team success.

Experience

1. Senior Consultant

   Seed Fundraisers

   Aug 2025 — Present · Nashville, TN, US

   Serve as a fractional fundraising leader for small-to-mid-sized nonprofits, providing strategic development planning, campaign execution, and infrastructure build-out without the cost of a full-time hire.Design comprehensive fundraising strategies spanning individual giving, grants, corporate sponsorships, and events to diversify revenue and reduce organizational risk.Lead donor pipeline development and segmentation strategies that strengthen acquisition, retention, and long-term stewardship.Build and refine development operations including CRM optimization (Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce), reporting dashboards, gift processing systems, and moves management workflows. Coach Executive Directors and Boards on fundraising leadership, board engagement, and major gift cultivation practices. Facilitate board retreats and strategic planning sessions to align fundraising goals with mission, vision, and program growth. Develop grant strategies and write compelling proposals that secure foundation and corporate funding for education, social services, and community-based organizations.

Education

• Middle Tennessee State University

  Masters of Business Administration, Management

  2007 — 2009

• Trevecca Nazarene University

  Doctor of Education - Ed. D., Leadership and Professional Practice

  2017

• Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU)

  Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc), Industrial and Organizational Psychology

  2003 — 2007