Meet Dené Kaster, GMCF’s New VP for Investment & Real Estate Services

If you’ve ever been to a nonprofit board meeting and watched eyes glaze over the moment someone pulls out a spreadsheet with tiny numbers, you’ve met my people. I’m Dené Kaster, and this fall I stepped into the role of Vice President for Investment & Real Estate Services at Greater Manhattan Community Foundation.

What I Do

In plain terms, I help make sure the generosity of our community is well cared for and put to work. That means stewarding the foundation’s assets so that gifts made today keep supporting our neighbors, nonprofits, and causes for generations.

Here’s something many people don’t realize: you don’t have to give alone. Donors can bring their own financial advisor along with their gift. Whether you are opening an endowed fund, a donor-advised fund, or another type of fund, your advisor can stay involved and continue to manage your fund’s investments, even after your gift has been made and placed into a GMCF fund. We currently partner with 25 professional financial advisors. While this makes our work more complex, we believe it is central to serving our donors. Your advisor knows your goals, and we know our community. Together, we can make your gift go further.

Curious how it works for your situation? Reach out to me directly, and I’ll walk you through the details. Advisors are welcome to call, too.

How I Got Here

My path has run through the nonprofit world. I started at a small local agency here in Manhattan, where I spent many years learning how far a dollar can stretch when real people are depending on it. From there, I became Chief Financial Officer at a smaller statewide foundation, overseeing $25 million in assets and learning what it takes to disburse grants and scholarships and the mission behind it.

I am a Certified Management Accountant and hold an MBA from Emporia State University and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Kansas State University. Go CATS!

Why Community Foundations

I came to GMCF because I’ve seen community giving from both sides: as someone asking for funds and as someone responsible for managing them. I’ve also been part of GMCF’s story for a while, initially as a Young Trustee and eventually sitting on the Board of Trustees. Getting involved showed me how much impact a community foundation can have when its people, its donors, and its partners pull in the same direction. Since stepping into this role, I’ve been welcomed warmly by donors, Trustees, nonprofit partners, and my colleagues, and I’m grateful for how quickly this community has made me feel at home.

Beyond the office, I am a Certified Education Advocate for youth across the state. I advocate for children in special education matters when a parent is unable to fill that role. In other words, I help kids who are in foster care access the educational accommodations and opportunities they need to be successful. I live in Alta Vista, where I sit on the local housing authority board and the USD 417 District Site Council.

What You Can Expect from Me

Whether you’re a donor curious about how your fund is invested, an advisor interested in partnering with us, or a nonprofit leader wondering what your board should be asking about your finances, I’d love to hear from you. My goal is to make the money side of philanthropy clear and approachable. I understand both the financial and programmatic sides of philanthropy.

Stop by, send a note, or find me at the next GMCF event. I’ll be the one happily explaining why your balance sheet deserves more attention than your income statement.