Mote welcomes new Director of Foundation Relations
Mote Marine Laboratory is pleased to welcome Karen Stults as the new Director of Foundation Relations.
Stults will increase visibility and support for Mote by creating, maintaining and expanding opportunities for the nonprofit marine research Lab to partner with individual, family and corporate foundations in support of Mote's current and future goals.
"Karen brings a strong background in developing foundation support to Mote – something that will enhance the level of philanthropy here and allow this organization to thrive for the future,” said Erin Kabinoff, Mote's Chief Development Officer. “We are delighted she has joined the team and look forward to her success in both growing and deepening our philanthropic relationships to support Mote's critical mission."
Stults has over 25 years of nonprofit fundraising and management experience. She comes to Mote from Baltimore, Maryland, where she served as Director of Corporate, Foundation and Government Relations, then as Director of Community Engagement for Maryland Institute College of Art. In that capacity, she raised significant funds for the organization and built the College’s first Office of Community Engagement.
She has held executive and fundraising positions with a range of policy advocacy organizations in Washington, D.C., including the Center for Community Change, YouthAction Inc. and the Center for Environmental Health and Justice. Stults holds a Master of Education in Policy Development and Program Evaluation from Vanderbilt University, a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Communications from Mercer University and a Certificate in Museum Exhibition Planning and Design from Georgetown University.
Q&A with Stults
What brought you to Mote Marine Laboratory?
I grew up in Sarasota and have been looking, for several years, for opportunities to return home while also continuing to grow and thrive as a professional. I’ve known about Mote since childhood, and have always had deep respect for the organization and its work. When the opportunity arose to join Mote’s Development team, I leapt at the chance. Mote’s work is simply world-class. For me, this is a homecoming as well as an exciting new venture.
What are some of your goals as Mote’s new Director of Foundation Relations?
I will be developing a foundations relations program to help grow local, regional, national and global support for the organization. Fundraising is never easy, but Mote has such a great mission. I am hoping to share that mission with foundations and corporations that have a passion for the same things we at Mote have a passion for – and creating opportunities for investment. It really is about connecting and building relationships with people who share our vision. It is never just about the monetary support; it’s also about the long lasting relationships that are created to move Mote forward in its mission to protect the ocean and its future.
What do you most look forward to?
I look forward to a very exciting learning curve – to immersing myself in new content and expanding my knowledge. I’ve spent the past decade in higher education and the arts and I worked for many years in D.C., doing community organizing and policy advocacy work. Mote’s many areas of focus – scientific research, animal rescue and rehabilitation, cultural tourism, environmental education, and new technologies – make this a very dynamic place to be and an organization that is poised for continued and expanded success. I look forward to diving in and learning all there is to know.