Serving as the Foundation’s Vice President of Philanthropic Strategies and Partnerships, Steve Jerina is a lifelong nonprofit professional with over a decade of experience in philanthropy, higher education, and nonprofits. In this position, Steve leads and oversees work with fundholders, professional advisors, private foundations, and other local donors to meet their charitable goals while also securing partnerships that advance the Foundation’s mission.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Steve moved to Florida from Nebraska to serve as the Senior Director of Regional Giving with Rollins College in greater Orlando, Florida, focused on major and planned gifts in emerging markets, specifically the western U.S. Before making the move south, he was with the Omaha Community Foundation where he led efforts in planned and collective giving and worked with professional advisors and donors to advise on charitable gift strategies. He also brings prior fundraising experience from Doane University and United Way of the Midlands. Steve’s background encompasses the breadth of planned giving, major gifts, annual giving, donor advised funds, private foundations, corporate giving, and collective giving with philanthropists from all walks of life.

Growing up in small-town Nebraska and attending a liberal arts college, Steve learned immediately the value of community, relationships, and giving back. He is currently on the board for the Central Florida chapter of Charitable Gift Planners, serving as the Programs Co-Chair, sits on the programming committee for the Central Florida Estate Planning Council, is on the board for Crave of Central Florida, and serves as the Governance Chair of the Nebraska Hope Foundation, helping provide financial assistance to cancer patients and their families. Steve has also served on governance or advisory boards for Young Nonprofit Professionals of Greater Omaha, Business Ethics Alliance, and Nebraska Methodist Hospital Foundation, and has been a member of the Omaha Venture Group and Pay it Forward Fund giving circles.

Steve received his MPA with a concentration in nonprofit management from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and his BA in history and political science from Doane University. He is also a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy from the American College of Financial Services and a 21/64 Certified Advisor.

Steve resides in the greater Orlando, Florida area, and is a self-described foodie and history buff, and enjoys quality time with friends and family alongside cooking, reading, and golf.