Jennifer Abbott brings more than 30 years of experience advancing philanthropy and strengthening nonprofit organizations to her work with The Patterson Foundation. As an initiative lead, she draws on a career defined by building strong, respectful, and enduring relationships with nonprofit leaders, donors, volunteers, staff, and community partners.

Jennifer is the founder of Abbott Advising, LLC, where she works with charitable individuals and their professional advisors to translate values and passions into purposeful giving strategies and long-term philanthropic plans. She also provides strategic guidance to a limited number of nonprofit leaders seeking to deepen their mission impact through philanthropy.

Previously, Jennifer spent six years at Manatee Community Foundation, where she served as Interim Executive Director and Director of Philanthropy, advancing transformational giving and strengthening the foundation’s community impact. Prior to that, she spent a decade at Forty Carrots Family Center expanding philanthropic support for its mission of strengthening families. Earlier in her career, Jennifer held development and brand-building roles in Washington, DC, and Austin, TX, working with organizations such as Southwest Airlines and United Way.

Jennifer holds the CAP® (Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy®) designation from The American College of Financial Services. She is an active leader in the philanthropic community, serving on the board of the Charitable Gift Planners of Southwest Florida and previously as the 2019 president of the Southwest Florida chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), advancing ethical and effective fundraising.

A Sarasota native, Jennifer enjoys exploring Florida’s natural beauty and traveling with her husband, Mark. Favorite destinations include Boston and Denver to visit their adult children. Jennifer’s weakness include salted caramel and letting her dogs on the couch.

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To contact Jennifer: jwabbott.professional@gmail.com