Gulf Coast Philanthropy Team Grows Stronger by Two

Gulf Coast Community Foundation has added two philanthropic advisors to its Philanthropy team, further strengthening the foundation’s ability to meet its mission of transforming the Gulf Coast region through bold and proactive philanthropy. In their new roles, C.J. Bannister and Matt Kahn work directly with Kirstin Fulkerson, a 16-year member of the Gulf Coast staff who was recently promoted to Senior Vice President for Philanthropy, to engage donors and grow philanthropic resources to benefit the region.               

Bannister, who joined Gulf Coast in July, is an Air Force veteran as well as a former financial advisor. She transitioned into the nonprofit sector by joining Goodwill Manasota as its first Director of Veterans Services, and most recently served as Chief Development Officer for Sarasota Military Academy Foundation.

“C.J.’s entire career has been focused on service, giving back, and making a difference,” said Mark S. Pritchett, President | CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation. “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,” said Kirstin Fulkerson, Senior Vice President for Philanthropy at Gulf Coast. “We know that he will be a tremendous asset to philanthropists and to our community partners.”

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