"Education should not only inform people; it should develop skills, expand access, and create practical pathways to opportunity. Sustainable institutions make those pathways possible."

About Franklin

Franklin D. Parham is an institution builder, nonprofit executive, educator, and strategist whose career has centered on expanding opportunity while strengthening the organizations that make opportunity possible.

Raised in Alabama and educated at Alabama State University, where he earned both a Bachelor of Arts in English & Communications and a Master of Education in English Education, Franklin began his career close to students and communities. Early work in residential life and TRIO Upward Bound helped shape a philosophy that education should do more than transmit knowledge: it should build skills, develop people, and create practical pathways toward opportunity.

His career has since crossed higher education, institutional advancement, donor relations, fundraising and development, workforce development, alumni engagement, and regional nonprofit leadership. His experience includes roles with Brandeis University, George Washington University, the Society of American Foresters, and The Hidden Genius Project, along with board and advisory service.

Most recently, as Regional Director for The Hidden Genius Project's Mid-Atlantic region, Franklin led strategy and operations across Baltimore and Philadelphia. His responsibilities included regional sustainability, workforce development, organizational growth, financial stewardship, community partnerships, recruitment, participant success, and systems development. He also supported the evolution of the organization's national Alumni Engagement Coordinator model through KPI development, Salesforce operationalization, and alumni engagement strategy.

Across these experiences, Franklin has developed a practical view of sustainability: strong organizations require more than good programs. They need aligned leadership, diversified revenue, disciplined operations, trusted partnerships, useful data, and a clear understanding of the communities they serve.

Frankly Inspired and Associates, LLC brings those disciplines together to help nonprofit leaders build institutions capable of lasting impact.

Experience & Impact

Impact by the Numbers

Metrics reflect Franklin's most recent regional leadership role and are drawn directly from his resume.

400+youth and families served through Mid-Atlantic regional leadership

$1.3Min combined regional operating budgets managed

20+corporate, philanthropic, educational, workforce, government, and community partnerships built and stewarded

200+student applicants generated through regional recruitment systems

60+volunteers, mentors, educators, and industry professionals mobilized

100%college enrollment among the referenced graduating senior cohort, with more than $500,000 collectively secured in scholarships and financial aid

Featured Experience: The Hidden Genius Project

Regional Director, Mid-Atlantic Region (Baltimore and Philadelphia), April 2025 to June 2026

Led multi-site regional operations across Baltimore and Philadelphia, owning programming, staffing, and day-to-day execution.
Held full financial stewardship for the region, from budget planning through reporting to funders and leadership.
Developed sustainability strategies using Community Partnership Programming, corporate partnerships, foundation grants, and state and federal funding opportunities.
Negotiated and established a strategic facility partnership and MOU with the Philadelphia Youth Basketball 6th Man Center.
Built and stewarded a cross-sector ecosystem spanning corporate, philanthropic, education, workforce, and government partners.
Recruited, trained, and coordinated a network of volunteers, mentors, educators, and industry professionals supporting program delivery.
Designed and ran recruitment systems that expanded the applicant pipeline region-wide.
Helped strengthen national alumni-engagement operations through KPI frameworks, Salesforce data governance, engagement tracking, and systems design.

Earlier Leadership

Alumni Engagement Coordinator, The Hidden Genius Project (Atlanta and Baltimore)
Manager, Fundraising & Development, Society of American Foresters
Assistant Director, Donor Relations, George Washington University
Senior Department Coordinator, Institutional Advancement, Brandeis University
Researcher & Senior Department Coordinator, Wentworth Institute of Technology
Instructor & Counselor, TRIO Upward Bound
Residential Life Supervisor, Alabama State University
Assistant General Manager, American Campus Communities & Clark Atlanta University

Board Leadership & Affiliations

Strategic Fundraising Advisor, Ora Lee Smith Cancer Research Foundation
Board Advisor, Turner Foundation for Community Advocacy
Howard Rye Institute Fellow
Association of Fundraising Professionals

Franklin is also open to selected speaking, board service, and advisory opportunities. Get in touch to discuss fit.

Resume

Franklin's full resume, covering education, employment history, and leadership experience, is available on request while the download is being finalized.

Request the Resume

Strong missions need sustainable institutions.

If your organization is navigating growth, revenue pressure, operational complexity, leadership transition, or the need for a clearer sustainability strategy, start with a conversation.

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