CAP Names Chief of Philanthropy

Civil Air Patrol National Commander and CEO Maj. Gen. Mark Smith today announced the appointment of Kristina E. Jones, president, fundraising and organizational strategist for Stronger Organizations of Abilene, Texas, as CAP’s chief of philanthropy.

Jones will be responsible for planning, managing and directing the organization’s fundraising efforts and stewardship programs. Essential duties include developing new fundraising programs and initiatives and optimizing existing fundraising programs by envisioning a multipronged approach to philanthropy to include estates, CAP members, foundations and corporations.

“Civil Air Patrol is known nationwide for its highly sought-after programs and services -- from our STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) hands-on kits; to our internally generated cell phone and radar forensics, which help save over 100 lives annually; to our top-rated leadership programs for cadets 12-20 years old. Kristina Jones has the background and experience to take these and CAP’s other outstanding resources to even greater heights through effective strategic planning, marketing and fundraising initiatives,” said Smith.

Jones brings more than two decades of nonprofit administration and fundraising experience to the position. With Stronger Organizations she created integrated development plans designed to support nonprofit and business clients’ goals for the best return on investment, and she conducted monthly fundraising training throughout Texas as a Center for Nonprofit Management faculty member. She has also conducted feasibility campaigns, strategic planning and campaign management for multimillion-dollar organizations.

She also served as southwest region vice president for organizational and executive development services/programs, operations and leadership development for Boys & Girls Clubs of America in Atlanta. In addition to board and executive talent development, she worked with local clubs on resource/fund development, strategic planning and organizational and program assessments.

As executive director for Alliance for Women & Children (formerly YWCA of Abilene), she was responsible for income growth representing nearly a 45 percent increase in four years.

Her portfolio also includes positions as vice president of development for Sears Methodist Retirement System Inc., director of alumni and church relations with McMurry University in Abilene and campaign director for United Way of Abilene. With SMRS she facilitated endowment growth of 70 percent, from $6 million to more than $10 million through a diversified matrix of estate planning, foundations, corporations and individual giving.

Jones holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communications from McMurry University and Abilene Christian University, respectively, and a Certificate in Fundraising Management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She also is a certified fund raising executive.

She has served on numerous boards at the local, state and national levels. She is a graduate of Leadership America, Leadership Texas Class of 2008 and a past member of the National Advisory Board for the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health. Also, Jones recently completed a second term on the U.S. Air Force’s Air Mobility Command Civic Leader’s Council, where she served as a past chair.

“I am honored to bring my diverse career and community experiences to further the impact of Civil Air Patrol and look forward to meeting the members of this great organization,” said Jones. “My work will be to bring a new focus on philanthropy, which includes engaging on a higher level with foundations and corporations, as well as identify meaningful ways to engage nonmembers as donors and advocates for Civil Air Patrol’s missions for America.”