Katherine Caskey has joined the Coral Gables Community Foundation as the first Director of Philanthropy to assist the CEO and Board in implementing the next phase of the strategic vision. Katherine has worked in nonprofit organizational and fund development work for the past 20 years.

Before joining the Foundation, Katherine served as a Strategic Organizational and Fund Development Consultant to multiple national and international non-profit organizations. Prior to consulting, Katherine served as the Director of Leadership Giving of The Everglades Foundation, where she led the major and principal gift program for four years.

Throughout her career, Katherine has successfully elevated the culture of philanthropy of numerous organizations, including The Everglades Foundation, The South Collier YMCA as its Chief Development Officer, as a lead consultant with Riley Philanthropy, as the Vice President for Development of the Guadalupe Center in Immokalee, Florida, and numerous other organizations.

Katherine’s innovative efforts have developed these organizations’ structure and strategic vision, thus growing extensive philanthropic support. Engaging donors in the vision set forth by boards and leadership is where Katherine excels.

Katherine has led efforts in strategic, endowment, capital campaigns, and integrated fundraising program planning and implementation. In 2001, Katherine was the trailblazer in the start-up of Cristo Rey St. Martin, an affordable, private, college-preparatory high school for students from low-income families in Waukegan, Illinois. Upon completion of the feasibility study, she was instrumental in securing the 1.5-million-dollar start-up grant from the Cassin Educational Initiative Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Katherine is mission driven and values giving back to the community. Katherine has served on numerous boards in Illinois and Florida. In addition to the Frost Art Museum Advisory Board, her current board service includes the Junior League of Miami and Beaux Arts Miami. Katherine has also held positions on the boards of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Collier-Lee Chapter, the Culinary and Hospitality Education Foundation (CHEF), and The League Club of Naples as VP of Development.

She earned a BA in Spanish and Behavioral Science from Mount Mary University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and has traveled and worked in Latin America, Europe, Chicago, and Southwest Florida. Katherine is passionate about serving the community and making an impact. She is a proud resident of Coral Gables and enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and ten-year-old daughter.