Foundation promotes vice president, names two to philanthropy team

VENICE — Gulf Coast Community Foundation has promoted Kirstin Fulkerson to senior vice president for philanthropy and added two philanthropic advisors to its team. 

Fulkerson is a 16-year member of the Gulf Coast staff, according to a press release.

In their new roles, meanwhile, philanthropic advisors C.J. Bannister and Matt Kahn will work directly with Fulkerson to engage donors and grow philanthropic resources.

Bannister, who joined Gulf Coast in July, is an Air Force veteran and a former financial advisor. She transitioned into the nonprofit sector by joining Goodwill Manasota as its first director of veterans services. Most recently, she served as chief development officer for the Sarasota Military Academy Foundation.

“C.J.’s entire career has been focused on service, giving back and making a difference,” says Gulf Coast Community Foundation President and CEO Mark Pritchett in a statement. “Her skills perfectly complement our growing philanthropy team, and our donors and their professional advisors already love working with her.”

Kahn joined the Gulf Coast team in mid-August after serving most recently as regional director of the American Jewish Committee’s San Francisco office. Before that, he worked as associate director of Interfaith Relations at Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston.

“Matt is passionate about building relationships and cultivating partnerships, and that is such a crucial part of what this team does,” says Fulkerson in a statement. “We know that he will be a tremendous asset to philanthropists and to our community partners.”

Gulf Coast Community Foundation administers nearly 1,000 charitable funds established by donors to the foundation.