CFKA announce Stacy Kelly as new Executive Director

The Community Foundation for Kingston & Area (CFKA) has announced the appointment of Stacy G. Kelly to the role of Executive Director. He will join the team in August.

According to a release from the CFKA, Kelly comes to the organization as an experienced leader in fund development and community relations, having worked for more than 20 years in philanthropy and community development. He also brings a strong knowledge of the local community, with 10 years of experience working at Queen’s University prior to his move to Toronto. He graduated from the university in 1996 with an Honours BA (Philosophy), supplemented further with graduate studies in education.

Kelly’s career has been marked by a steady progression of responsibilities as a philanthropic leader and fundraiser in both academic and community environments, CFKA stated. Most recently, Kelly served as Director of Philanthropy at The 519, a City of Toronto agency serving the LGBTQ2S communities with an innovative model of service, space and leadership.

Prior to 2017, he built on his experience as a senior campaign officer at Queen’s to take on successively more demanding roles at OCAD University, the largest and most comprehensive art, design and media university in Canada. According to the release, he served there as Senior Manager of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving and as Associate Campaign Director in Development and Alumni Relations.

Kelly has been recognized with distinguished honours including the Herbert J. Hamilton Volunteer Service Award from the Queen’s University Alumni Association in 2019, and the Ontario Volunteer Service Award, Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, 2017.

According to the release, one secret to his success is a strong belief in the ability of philanthropy to bring about social change together with his thorough understanding of the art and practice of fund development, marketing, and communications in fast-moving environments. Before and during the pandemic CKFA said that he demonstrated a strong ability to adapt to his environment, to shift strategy, focus and emphasis to best achieve organizational goals.

“I am excited to work with our stakeholders to facilitate opportunities and foster community,” Kelly said about his new role as CFKA’s Executive Director. “My first priorities are to focus on the Foundation’s strategic goals and, working with the great team at CFKA, successfully connect our donors and agencies doing effective work on the ground. Implementing major initiatives to address Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) & Resilience as well as seniors’ isolation and belonging will also be high on the list.”

Rob Wood, Chair of the CFKA Board of Directors, noted the board was grateful for the high quality of candidates brought forth in the hiring process, conducted with guidance and support from the local executive search firm Palmer & Associates.

“After careful consideration of dozens of applicants, the Board is delighted to confirm Stacy’s appointment to this role,” Wood stated. “We were impressed by his energy, fresh ideas and the collaborative, inclusive style he will bring to the Foundation. His enthusiasm is engaging, and we very much look forward to working with him.”

Over the past decade, the Community Foundation has grown significantly under the leadership of Kelly’s predecessor, Tina Bailey, the organization said. The Foundation’s endowment funds almost tripled, with annual donations reliably growing to over $1M per year and many bequest gifts secured to further strengthen the Foundation in the future. According to the release, the impact of the Foundation’s granting increased, not only in total annual dollars granted (topping more than $1M for two years in a row) but also in diversity and strategic impact.

“At the front lines of change we see dozens of charitable organizations leading initiatives to build a vibrant, creative region — one where everyone has opportunities in a caring, healthy and culturally rich community,” said Wood. “We also see farsighted leadership in the commitments and generosity of so many donors ready to support the energy and ideas of people making a difference on the ground. Stacy completes our great team as a leader who will effectively connect all these efforts.”