HANLEY CENTER FOUNDATION NAMES NEW CEO
Former Boys & Girls Clubs VP to lead new era for Foundation’s addiction and prevention-focused mission
(WEST PALM BEACH, FL) Kae Jonsons recently joined Hanley Center Foundation as chief executive officer, according to David Fritz, chairman of the foundation’s board of directors. In her new role, Jonsons is responsible for oversight of the foundation’s efforts to provide substance abuse prevention and education programs for parents, caregivers and school-age children. She will also work with board committees to manage the new granting process to provide scholarships for patients who could not otherwise afford access to quality addiction treatment. In addition, she oversees the foundation’s board and donor relations, fundraising events and fund development strategies – managing a staff of 16 throughout the state.
“For the first time since the Hanley family started fundraising in Palm Beach County nearly 30 years ago,” said Fritz, “and our Foundation received its nonprofit status in 2005, we have expanded our mission to broaden our scope of funding in the communities we serve. Hanley Center Foundation will continue to fund and present prevention and education programs. This year we will serve at least nine counties with our statewide outreach efforts. In addition, our Lifesaver Patient Aid Fund grant making for addiction treatment scholarships will be expanded to include more facilities. Kae’s experience in development and donor relations, as well as her commitment to Palm Beach County, are true assets as we head into this exciting time for Hanley Center Foundation.”
Under Jonson’s leadership, the foundation will be providing funding and personnel to serve more than 40,000 students in nine Florida counties over the next three years with research-based prevention and education programming. In addition, in 2016 Hanley Center Foundation will celebrate the fulfillment of a $1 million pledge from retailer Alex and Ani, earmarked for the Lifesaver Patient Aid fund –specifically for addiction treatment scholarships for women.
Prior to joining Hanley Center Foundation, Jonsons served as vice president of foundation development and donor relations at Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County. Working directly for the Clubs’ president and CEO, she supervised all efforts of the Clubs’ foundation, and helped to educate and position board members to steward and solicit major gifts and endowment from individuals, corporations, foundations, United Way, government agencies and other sources. Jonsons also worked as a Boys and Girls Club ambassador to investors, donors and the community, ensuring the organization was promoted in a positive, balanced and well-informed way.
Jonsons’ past experience also includes roles at such local nonprofit organizations as the Norton Museum, Boca Raton Museum of Art and the Historical Society of Palm Beach County where she developed and enhanced their resource development, donor services, marketing and events management.
“My parents’ legacy with Hanley Center Foundation is in great hands under Kae’s leadership,” said Michael Hanley, Foundation board member and son of Hanley Center Foundation founders, Mary Jane and Jack Hanley. “Our board and leadership is proud to have provided prevention and education programming along with an average of more than $350,000 annually to patients who needed local addiction treatment and could not afford it. As we head into 2016 with an expanded mission, Kae’s skill set is perfectly suited to assist the Foundation in this next evolution, and her experience here in our home base of Palm Beach County is invaluable.”
In addition to private funding opportunities and prevention programming, Hanley Center Foundation hosts several community events each season:
- The Drug Abuse Summit on Tuesday, December 1 presents a free, timely and dynamic discussion about mental illness and substance abuse, co-hosted by Hanley Center Foundation, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and The Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation. This event is presented as a community service and is open to the public.
- The 21st annual Family Picnic on Saturday, February 6 is a day of fun for the entire family. To be held at the International Polo Club in Wellington, the event includes lunch, activities for children – including a magic show and creative crafts – and silent auctions for both kids and adults.
- The Hanley Center Foundation Dinner at Club Colette on February 25th will honor retailer Alex and Ani’s $1 million gift to fund addiction treatment scholarships for women.
- The 17th annual Golf Classic is targeted for March 28 at the prestigious Dye Preserve. The 18-hole golf tournament, awards ceremony, luncheon and silent auction benefit Hanley Center Foundation’s Lifesaver Patient Aid Fund.
“Hanley Center Foundation is beloved in Palm Beach County and I am excited to take a leadership role in such an integral and well-respected nonprofit member of our community,” said Jonsons. “This is a pivotal and exciting time for the Foundation as we expand our role in the communities we serve. I am personally committed to efforts focused on the welfare of children and families. I hope to bring a unique blend of fundraising, marketing, nonprofit and operational experience to this position.”
Jonsons’ husband Charles is a technology consultant for emerging companies; their daughter Lilly is a talented photographer who is a senior at the Pratt Institute in New York, and son Miles is pursuing acting as a junior at G-Star in West Palm Beach. The Jonsons live in a historic home in Delray Beach which they have restored and share with their two dogs, four cats, fish and various other rescued animals.
For more information on Hanley Center Foundation events and funding opportunities, please visit www.hanleycenterfoundation.org or call 561.841.1212