People in Fundraising ep. 117: Dr. Joe Stabb, University of Tennessee

I am delighted to interview and share this "People in Fundraising" conversation with Dr. Joe Stabb of the University of Tennessee! From advertising and public relations to volunteering and prospect development, Joe has led a highly varied and fascinating career in fundraising and fundraising-adjacent roles. He shares the overview of his career and his passion for continued learning with sincerity and great anecdotes.

In our conversation, Joe discusses:

* His current role as the Assistant Professor of Practice (the first such hire) at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations, and how this appointment connects to the nonprofit world

* What motivates him as a community volunteer, including his volunteer leadership roles with nonprofit associations like Apra and the Smoky Mountains chapter of AFP (the Association of Fundraising Professionals).

* Joe has also been a longtime volunteer for the American Red Cross, and about one year ago, he was one of the first gay men in the U.S. Southeast to donate blood, after new FDA regulations went into effect. This change was very meaningful for Joe as a person and longtime Red Cross volunteer.

* His reflections on this quote by architect and philosopher Buckminster Fuller: "You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete." As anyone who follows "People in Fundraising" has seen over time, I love finding thought-provoking quotes from societal leaders and asking guests to ponder what the quote means to them.

 

Thank you Joe for a wonderful and very informative conversation! It was awesome to connect with you and share your thoughts in this interview.