Amanda Crawford, CFRE, CFRM
Amanda Crawford serves as Executive Director of the Mississippi Nurses Foundation, a philanthropic organization dedicated to supporting nursing students and advancing the nursing profession across Mississippi. In this role, she provides strategic leadership for the Foundation’s mission, overseeing organizational operations, financial stewardship, and engagement with institutions of higher education.
With more than 25 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and development throughout the Southeast, Amanda has led mission-driven teams whose work has significantly improved the quality of life for individuals and families, particularly in rural communities. Her career includes progressive leadership roles within a global health organization, culminating in her service as Executive Director for the South Region with the American Cancer Society. In that capacity, she directed multi-channel fundraising and market operations across Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas. One of her signature accomplishments was leading a $10.9 million capital campaign for the construction of the Gertrude C. Ford Hope Lodge in Jackson, Mississippi.
Earlier in her career, Amanda played a key role in the founding of the Oprah Winfrey Boys & Girls Club in Kosciusko, Mississippi, serving as Director of Resource and Community Development. She worked closely with leadership at the Oprah Winfrey Foundation to secure $5 million in funding for the construction of a facility that continues to serve children and youth in Kosciusko and Attala County.
Prior to joining the Mississippi Nurses Foundation, Amanda served as Senior Director of Development at Palmer Home for Children. There, she partnered with the executive team to secure more than $6 million in annual operating support and led capital fundraising efforts exceeding $8 million.
Over the course of her career, Amanda has been directly involved in securing more than $35 million in philanthropic support for mission-based initiatives and capital projects.
Amanda holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree from Mississippi State University, a Certificate in Nonprofit Finance from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, and the Certified Fund Raising Manager (CFRM) credential from Indiana University’s Lilly School of Philanthropy. She also completed a Master’s Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Delta State University as a member of its inaugural cohort. One of only 16 professionals in Mississippi to hold the CFRE credential, Amanda was recently reappointed by CFRE International to serve as a CFRE Ambassador.
She has been recognized by the Mississippi Business Journal as one of the Top Ten Businesswomen in Mississippi and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Hope Village for Children in Meridian, Mississippi, as well as the Mississippi State Board of Nursing’s Office of Nursing Workforce Advisory Council.
Amanda and her husband, Terry, have four adult children and enjoy life as empty nesters between homes in central Mississippi and South Texas.