Mott transitions

We’re a little sad and sentimental — but also very pleased — to share news of happy transitions at the Mott Foundation.

After an amazing 28 years of service to the Flint community and the Foundation, Kimberly Roberson, director of our Flint Area program, has announced she will retire this summer. Kimberly has helped to guide Mott’s hometown grantmaking since 1997, when she joined the Foundation as a consultant. She became an associate program officer in 1998, followed by program officer in 2003. From 2002 to 2011, she split her time between the Foundation’s Flint Area and Civil Society programs, managing portfolios in race relations and philanthropy. She was named director of the Flint Area program in October 2011.

In shaping our Flint Area grantmaking, Kimberly centered the needs and interests of the community. She brought a steady, guiding presence through challenging times, including the Flint water crisis and COVID-19 pandemic. Most recently, she helped develop the plan that will guide our Flint Area grantmaking for the next 10 years.

Kimberly has been with the Foundation for more than a quarter of our first century. She’s been a leader, mentor and friend to many at Mott. We’re pleased that she’s staying on until we officially mark our 100th anniversary in June. When she departs, she’ll take with her our deepest respect, gratitude and best wishes for a happy retirement filled with cherished moments with her family.

At the same time, we’re delighted to announce Jennifer Acree will succeed Kimberly in the role of program director.

Jennifer joined the Foundation in 2013 as an associate program officer on the Flint team and was promoted to program officer in 2018. Over her 13 years at the Foundation, she has been a consummate team player, always looking for ways to help the Foundation meet our goals. She’s deeply connected to the Flint community and viewed as a collaborative leader by nonprofits and community advocates. This next step in her career will allow her to apply her talents to advancing the Mott Foundation’s hometown grantmaking, which accounts for approximately 60% of our total annual giving.

Prior to joining Mott, Jennifer served as the director of the BEST Project, a multi-funder collaborative providing nonprofit capacity building and technical assistance to organizations in Flint. Her knowledge of nonprofit management and capacity building, combined with her deep affinity for Flint, will serve the community and Foundation well.

Please join us in wishing Kimberly and Jennifer well in their next chapters.