Meet Melissa in this fun introductory video!

VENICE, FL (August 20, 2026) – Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast) is pleased to announce the hiring of Melissa Ehrhardt as Director, Capacity Building. 

In this position, Ehrhardt leads the strategic direction of Invest in Incredible (I3), Gulf Coast’s nonprofit capacity-building initiative, which strengthens nonprofit governance, leadership, fundraising, and operational excellence through workshops, consulting engagements, and digital learning resources. She is responsible for content building, consultant cohort management, regional expansion, operational oversight, and impact measurement of the program, which serves nonprofits across Sarasota, Charlotte, and DeSoto Counties.

“Supporting nonprofit organizations as they grow and evolve is work I’m deeply passionate about,” says Ehrhardt. “I’m thrilled to join the Gulf Coast team and help create learning opportunities that equip nonprofits with the tools and confidence to better serve their communities.”

Ehrhardt brings more than a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership, community engagement, partnership development, and disaster response to her role. Before joining Gulf Coast, she worked with the American Red Cross, where she cultivated strategic partnerships, mobilized volunteers, and helped communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. A firm believer that strong nonprofits create stronger communities, she is energized by helping organizations build capacity, develop leaders, and achieve their missions more effectively. She holds a bachelor's degree in business administration and management from the University of Central Florida. 

Since its inception in 2016, I3 has provided hundreds of opportunities designed to strengthen nonprofit organizations across the region. In fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026) alone, more than 375 nonprofit professionals participated in nearly two dozen workshops on topics including fundraising planning, conflict resolution, presentation skills, and practical AI for nonprofits — a 26% increase over the previous year. The creation of Ehrhardt's role reflects Gulf Coast's continued commitment to expanding the initiative in response to the evolving needs of the region's nonprofit community.

“Melissa’s perspective and passion for helping organizations succeed make her a valuable addition to the Gulf Coast team,” said Erin Minor, Vice President, Community Leadership for Gulf Coast. “Her leadership will help advance Gulf Coast’s commitment to bolstering the nonprofit sector and creating opportunities for organizations to connect, collaborate, and succeed.”

Ehrhardt joins the Community Leadership team led by Minor, alongside Jess Blagdon, Grants and Evaluation Officer; Jennifer Johnston, Director, Community Leadership; Tiona Settles, Community Partnerships Officer; Jon Thaxton, Director, Policy and Advocacy; and Harriet Thompson, Coordinator, Community Leadership.

To request an interview with Melissa Ehrhardt or learn more about Gulf Coast's Invest in Incredible initiative, please contact Alyssa Holcomb, Associate, Brand Engagement, at aholcomb@gulfcoastcf.org. 

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About Gulf Coast Community Foundation

Since 1995, Gulf Coast Community Foundation has powered bold philanthropy and collaborative leadership to drive meaningful change across our region. Guided by values of authenticity, curiosity, collaboration, grit, and a trailblazing spirit, we work side-by-side with donors, partners, and community members to tackle our region’s biggest challenges and unlock its greatest opportunities. Together with our donors, we’ve invested more than $650 million in health and human services, education, civic & economic development, arts & culture, and the environment. Headquartered in Venice, with a second office in downtown Sarasota, Gulf Coast is nationally recognized for excellence, earning multiple “Best Nonprofits to Work For” honors and accreditation from Community Foundations National Standards®. Learn more at GulfCoastCF.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.