It is with great appreciation and some sadness that we share with you that after 10 years of dedicated service to our organization, Kristin Nelson will leave Community Foundation Sonoma County in July. While we bid farewell to Kristin, who has been an integral part of our team, we are thrilled to announce that she will be taking on the role of Executive Director at Life on Earth Art in Petaluma. We are excited for her as she embarks on this new journey and look forward to seeing the incredible impact she will make in her new position!

Kristin joined the Community Foundation in 2014, and wore many hats on the Philanthropic Planning Team, most recently as Interim Vice President for Philanthropic Planning. Kristin led her team with heart, and took great pride in her work to connect passionate donors to nonprofits in Sonoma County and beyond.

She was a key member of our team during some very difficult times in our community, including the wildfires and pandemic, and helped to make our Resilience Fund have the incredible impact that it continues to have. 

When asked about her proudest moments working at CFSC, Kristin recalled all of the people that she was able to work with and support, the trusting relationships she built, and the magical moments when a donor was able to see the lasting impact they made in our community.

We hope you’ll join us in celebrating her incredible contribution to not just CFSC but to our community as a whole through her work with donors and nonprofits.

Kristin’s tenure has been marked by many achievements, but when asked what she is most proud of during her time at CFSC, she answered “people, people, people.” Connecting with her team, fundholders, donors, and our community has been at the heart of her work.

“The magic moment is when a donor’s face lights up after introducing them to a new nonprofit and seeing how that organization aligns with their goals. It happens more than you think and is incredible.”

Kristin worked to build a dedicated and heart-centered Philanthropic Planning Team. She shares that she was truly honored to work alongside her team, and takes pride in helping her teammates grow, leaning into work that played to their strengths and benefited the Community Foundation. 

Kristin shared that she is most proud of her team’s ability to learn and foster new relationships. “The Philanthropic Planning Team is dedicated to learning about all of Sonoma County’s diverse nonprofits. They use their relationship skills to understand donors’ interests and goals and blend these two sides to become community advocates who can connect our passionate donors with nonprofit organizations expertly. This is a team of skilled learners (because Philanthropic Advisors can never stop learning) and I know that they will continue to dramatically leverage fund holders’ goals and values to benefit Sonoma County.”

Kristin & CFSC Staff photographed here at Life on Earth Art at the 2024 staff retreat, where they spent time creating heart collages that expressed their hope for the future. 

Kristin connected deeply with fundholders, building relationships based on trust and connection. She is a storyteller, with a memorable moment for each fund she touched during her time at the foundation. The conversations she had about life, loss, and joy are her most memorable moments of her time at the foundation.

Kristin, your dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment have left an enduring legacy at Community Foundation Sonoma County. While we will miss your presence, we are excited to see where your journey takes you next. Thank you for everything you have done to make our community stronger and more resilient!

With heartfelt gratitude,
The Community Foundation Sonoma County Team