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Kristi Kelly, Director of Grants, is responsible for managing Private Foundation grants for programs and services funded by the Foundation.

Kristi’s career began in Birmingham as a high school teacher, and, later, a college level English instructor in Fort Myers, Florida. Upon relocation to Huntsville in 2004, she has worked with nonprofits. She founded Lilies of the Valley, a nonprofit support and advocacy group for ovarian cancer survivors, and she previously worked part-time with Huntsville Hospital Foundation as a grant writer. Her other grant writing experience includes United Cerebral Palsy (Birmingham), Fantasy Playhouse, and Huntsville Botanical Garden. She has also worked as an executive assistant for Belay Solutions based out of Atlanta before returning to the Foundation as a full time Grants Manager in 2021.

An avid community volunteer, Kristi has served as a board member for Huntsville Hospital Foundation, The Huntsville Madison County Public Library, and The Vine Pastoral Counseling Center. She was a founding member of the HudsonAlpha Connections group, a former member of the Alabama Comprehensive Cancer Coalition, and she has supported projects at the Huntsville Museum of Art and Lincoln Village. She has been recognized in her career as Spotlight Teacher (2000) and Teacher of the Year (1995) at her respective schools, and for her volunteer efforts as a finalist for the national L'Oreal of Paris Woman of Worth campaign in 2006. She received a Presidential Point of Light Award in 2007.

Originally a native of Florida, she has been in Alabama since 1988, and she is proud to call Huntsville home. She and her husband, Joe, have three children. She enjoys spending time at her church, oil painting, reading, or attending one of her children’s sports events.