Originally from Wisconsin, Sarah Lehner found her passion for community-driven change on the shores of Clearwater Beach, Fla., as an oceanfront lifeguard and American Studies student at Eckerd College. Amid the tides and sunshine, her commitment to sustainability and social impact took root — igniting a lifelong dedication to building stronger, more connected communities.
In 2008, Sarah moved to Nashville, drawn by a deepening desire to serve. Over the past two decades, she has built a career in grant writing, fund development, and nonprofit communications, bringing strategic insight and a heart for advocacy to every organization she supports. As Grants Manager at The Nashville Food Project, she champions TNFP’s mission to cultivate community and alleviate hunger, believing that nourishing food is a fundamental human right.
Sarah’s work is shaped by her steadfast belief in the power of community to create lasting change. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with organizations addressing food security, education, women’s rights, housing instability, environmental care, independent journalism and media, human trafficking, independent music, and financial literacy. She thrives on connecting resources to meaningful programs, building relationships that fuel impact, and fostering partnerships that empower communities to thrive.
She has always been drawn to the heart of a community—the places where people create, connect, and care for one another. From supporting local artists and small businesses to supporting nonprofits that shape lives, her time in Nashville is deeply rooted in locally grown interests. She played a key role in TennGreen’s campaign to save Cummins Falls and later became the first Development Director for The Contributor, where she witnessed firsthand how food security transforms lives for those facing poverty and housing instability.
Beyond work, Sarah finds joy in the simple and wild — backpacking with her two children, dancing, crafting, and celebrating life’s milestones with family and friends. Her Certified Wildlife Habitat garden is a flourishing haven for butterflies and bees. A Master Swimmer, avid camper, and bluegrass festival regular, she also volunteers at TEDx Nashville, staying engaged in big ideas and community storytelling.