Her Story
About Cheryl
Cheryl Chunn is a nonprofit fundraising consultant based in Nashville with 20 years of professional experience. After beginning her career providing counseling in behavioral health settings and managing teams as a licensed clinical social worker, she transitioned into fundraising. She spent five years at National Rescue Mission raising $24 million for a 100,000 square foot women's and children's campus for people experiencing homelessness. Prior to that, she held fundraising positions at Vanderbilt University and its medical center. Chunn retired from full-time work three years ago and now consults with two Nashville nonprofits, one on a $13 million capital campaign and another on restructuring its fundraising operations. She earned a BSW from Valparaiso University, a Master's in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and an MBA from Keller Graduate School, now DeVry. She obtained her CFRE credential approximately five years ago. Chunn attributes her success to diligence and goal-setting, values honesty, perseverance, responsibility, and loyalty, and advises listening to others and helping them solve problems.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Cheryl
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think being diligent and setting goals. I'm going to accomplish in setting out ways to achieve those goals. Probably what's gotten me where I am.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Take time to listen to people and help them problem solve.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be sincere and honest with your work. Map out your course. You may not always end up on that path, as I did not, but map out a course for where I wanted to be and how I wanted to get there, but in everyday work, I think just being sincere and honest.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
In the fundraising world, there are so many needs, even in our community, that the challenge is getting the attention of potential donors. It's daunting to hear how many times someone's been asked to give a gift to another organization. The greatest opportunity is creating leaders for these nonprofit organizations.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty, perseverance, responsibility, and loyalty.
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