Manatee Community Foundation has hired Lakewood Ranch resident Alicia Chalmers for a newly created position, Manager of Donor Engagement.

Chalmers was a former initiative consultant with The Patterson Foundation, sharing her talent on initiatives including Legacy of Valor, Aspirations to Action, and the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading.

Chalmers is a graduate of the University of Florida and has owned her own business, volunteered in community leadership roles, and is the incoming president of the Junior League of Sarasota.

“With Alicia’s aptitude for helping people explore and connect to their charitable passions, she is uniquely positioned to build our expanding donor family in east Manatee County,” said MCF executive director Susie Bowie. “We couldn’t be more delighted to add her to our team of professionals and partners in philanthropy.”

Chalmers will work closely with MCF director of philanthropy Jennifer Abbott and began in her new role at Manatee Community Foundation on February 25.

Manatee Community Foundation is a trusted philanthropic institution that partners with citizens to strengthen and enhance our community through philanthropy, education, and service—now and forever. More than $25 million in grants and scholarships have been awarded from the Foundation since 1998, including grants from the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund.