Christa Mannarino will oversee efforts to attract support for Sarasota’s leading mental health and human services agency by cultivating donor relationships and facilitating collaborative partnerships throughout the JFCS five-county service area.
As charitable giving continues to fuel its mission, Jewish Family and Children’s Service (JFCS) of the Suncoast has appointed Christa Mannarino as their new Chief Development Officer. In this role, she will raise funds to address the unmet needs of our community, deepen the organization’s commitment to its current supporters, and expand JFCS’s base of support for programs it provides to youth, families, seniors and veterans.
Arthur Lerman, JFCS President and CEO, stated, “We are very pleased to have Christa lead our philanthropic efforts focusing on relationships with individuals, foundations, corporations and grant makers. Christa is a creative and strategic thinker with a passion for Sarasota and supporting the mental health needs of our community.”
Christa brings 25 years of experience to JFCS through her work in higher education, non-profit organizations and consulting. As a former non-profit executive director who successfully led a visual arts organization for 10 years, she understands the power of innovative solutions and what it takes to create a strong sense of community. Most recently, she served in senior development roles with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and as the Executive Director of Development for Cleveland State Community College.
Christa earned her bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and her master’s degree in business administration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She is a professional facilitator and holds the international Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) certification.
“I’m thrilled and honored to join the JFCS Family and be a part of a community that recognizes the need for volunteerism and financial generosity,” says Christa. “When I learned about the JFCS mission, I immediately felt the connection because of my own experience of growing up with a parent with a severe mental health condition. Mental health counseling should be available to all; ensuring access is the heart and soul of JFCS.”
Christa is married and with her family, including two Beagle-mix pups, is in the process of relocating to Sarasota. When she’s not working, you can find her in the garden, working on art projects, planning the next trip or spending time with her family.
About JFCS: Celebrating its 35th year as one of the Florida Suncoast’s leading mental health and human services agencies, JFCS offers programs that support youth, families, seniors and veterans. Inspired by the Jewish tradition of helping all people, services are delivered on a non-denominational basis and with the goal of empowering individuals to self-sufficiency and stability. JFCS of the Suncoast believes all people are to be treated with dignity and respect and have equal opportunity to physical well-being, self-expression and joy. For more information, visit https://JFCS-Cares.org/ or call (941) 366-2224.