The Contributor Inc.
Executive Director
| Executive Director | Mr. Will Connelly |
|---|---|
| will@thecontributor.org | |
| Term Start | December 2023 |
| Will's Experience: Will Connelly started his career in ending homelessness in 2004 as a street outreach specialist in Nashville, TN, for MDHA and Park Center. His main interest and vocation are reaching out to people who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness to offer relationship and partnership in getting off the streets as quickly as possible. He has worked at both the local and federal level as a subject matter expert on Medicaid, disability benefits, and housing-focused solutions. | |
Senior Staff
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Mr. Tom Wills | Director of Vendor Operations |
| Linda Bailey | Co Editor and Creative Media Director |
| Raven Lintu | Program Director of C.O.V.E.R. Housing Navigation program |
| Cathy Jennings | Finance Director |
| Holly Bowman | Director of Development and Communications |
| Ree Cheers | SOAR Program Manager |
Staff
| Full Time Staff | 15 |
|---|---|
| Part Time Staff | 2 |
| Volunteers | 18 |
| Contractors | 1 |
| Retention Rate | 100% |
Plans & Policies
| Does your organization have a Fundraising Plan? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Does your organization have a Strategic Plan? | Yes |
| Years Strategic Plan Considers | 3 |
| When was the Strategic Plan adopted? | December 2022 |
| Does your organization have a Management Succession Plan? | Under Development |
| Does your organization have a Policy and Procedure Plan? | Yes |
| Does the organization have a Nondiscrimination Policy? | Yes |
| Does the organization have a Whistle Blower Policy? | Yes |
| Does the organization have a Document Destruction Policy? | Yes |
Evaluation
| Is there a formal evaluation for... | Frequency (if applicable) | |
|---|---|---|
| CEO/Executive Director | Yes | Annually |
| Senior Management | Yes | Annually |
| Non-Management | Yes | Annually |
Affiliations
| Affiliation | Year |
|---|---|
| Belmont University | 2020 |
| Center for Nonprofit Management Excellence Network | 2020 |
| Chamber of Commerce | 2020 |
| Dr. Wiseman | 2022 |
| Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation | 2020 |
| Nashville Downtown Partnership | 2020 |
| Nashville Symphony | 2020 |
| Salvation Army | 2020 |
| United Way | 2020 |
Awards
| Award / Recognition | Organization | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Best Breakthrough | International Network of Street Papers (INSP) | 2015 |
| Best Vendor Commentary | North American Street Newspaper Association (NASNA) | 2009 |
| Best Vendor Writing, Cover | International Network of Street Papers (INSP) | 2019 |
| Best Vendor Writing, won by vendor Jennifer Alexander | International Network of Street Papers (INSP) | 2015 |
| Community Quarterback Award | Tennessee Titans | 2009 |
| Frist Foundation's Finalist: Making A Difference | Salute To Excellence | 2011 |
| Growth: Sustainability/Social Enterprise | NEXT Awards 2012 | 2012 |
| STROBEL AWARD FINALIST | HON | 2020 |
| Best Cover | INSP | 2022 |
CEO/Executive Director/Board Comments
| At The Contributor, we've grown from a street newspaper into a multifaceted organization addressing homelessness, housing instability, and healthcare. Our team is passionate about meeting people where they are, from those living on the streets to individuals settling into new homes. Managing this growth brings both challenges and opportunities-balancing resources while navigating the complexities of funding, partnerships, and the ever-changing landscape of social services. A key challenge is maintaining stability while expanding our services. With limited resources and increasing demand, it takes creativity and deep commitment to meet the needs of those we serve. But we know that partnerships are essential to our work-whether with local landlords, healthcare providers, or the individuals we serve, whose lived experiences inform and shape our approach. We believe that those who have experienced homelessness firsthand are the experts, and they play a vital role in the solutions we build. At the heart of our mission is a belief in the power of community and shared responsibility. We continue to foster deep relationships with partners, funders, and the people we serve to ensure that the barriers facing those experiencing homelessness are not only recognized but dismantled. Together, we're creating pathways to stability, one story at a time. - Will Connelly, Executive Director |
