The F. M. Kirby Foundation has announced the promotion of Liz Crowley to Sr. Program Officer, effective September 1, 2026. In her new role, Ms. Crowley will continue leading the Foundation’s Human Services and Environment portfolios.
With nearly five years of full-time experience at the F. M. Kirby Foundation, Ms. Crowley has developed a deep understanding of the nonprofit and community landscapes across New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. Her promotion reflects the Foundation’s commitment to advancing talented professionals who approach philanthropy not simply as grantmaking, but as a genuine investment in the communities they serve.
“Liz has a unique way of translating our organization’s values into action, identifying organization and community needs and finding innovative ways to address them,” said Foundation President Justin Kiczek. “She’s played an instrumental role in collaborating with other funders to amplify the impact of our grantmaking in our geographic areas of interest.”
Since joining the Foundation in June 2021, Ms. Crowley has played an integral role in advancing the Foundation’s mission to create lasting impact through strategic partnerships with nonprofit organizations. Her work includes helping develop the Morris County Nonprofit Capacity Building Fund in partnership with the Morris County Funders Group and the Community Foundation of New Jersey, as well as co-chairing the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers’ Environmental Affinity Group. Her journey from Communications & Program Associate to Senior Program Officer demonstrates her deep understanding of the Foundation’s values and her commitment to fostering meaningful change in the communities it serves.
In her role overseeing the Human Services portfolio, Ms. Crowley has championed initiatives that bolster community development through strengthening homeless services, providing food for those in need, and delivering mental and physical health support. Her work in the Environment portfolio focuses on partnering with organizations that focus on land conservation, stewardship, environmental law and advocacy, and environmental community development.
“The ability to steward the mission of such a principled and storied Foundation is a great gift,” said Ms. Crowley. “I look forward to continuing to honor the legacy of the F. M. Kirby Foundation through deepened collaboration with the organizations, partners, and people that work so hard to create justice and opportunity in our communities.”
In addition to working closely in the Greater Morristown Community via her role at the Foundation, Ms. Crowley is a lifelong resident of Morristown, New Jersey and has devoted much of her personal time to volunteering for nonprofits and community services such as Good Grief, CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties, the Morristown Ambulance Squad, the Morristown Fire Department, and the Elliott Street Community Garden. She holds master’s degree in social work from Rutgers University, where she was a Graduate Fellow at the Eagleton Institute of Politics.
The Foundation’s approach to staff development mirrors its philosophy toward grantmaking — investing in long-term relationships and supporting growth that leads to sustainable impact. Ms. Crowley’s promotion exemplifies this commitment to nurturing talent and recognizing excellence in service to communities.
