Saint Francis Service Dogs 2025 Annual Report

Staff Spotlight Kari Grim Philanthropy Manager

One of the unique things about the staff of Saint Francis Service Dogs is the many and varied paths we each took to end up here. Kari Grim’s winding road to her role as Philanthropy Manager started with the study of song and, perhaps unexpectedly, led to a love of spreadsheets. For those of us who are lucky enough to work alongside her, we know that it is that rare blend of creativity and precision – part pragmatism and part passion – that brings perfect harmony to everything Kari does. Kari’s path shifted while working towards her Master’s Degree in Music Education. She realized the life she had envisioned for herself since she was 11 years old might not be the one she was meant to pursue. Taking a leap of faith, she stepped into an entirely new career, landing a role as a development assistant for a non-profit organization that provided music lessons to children at no cost. “I quickly learned the many hats you must wear at a small nonprofit, and everything kind of clicked for me,” Kari says. “I have never met a spreadsheet I didn’t like; I love synthesizing data and looking for patterns; I enjoy graphic design and writing; I have been known to throw a mean party; and most importantly, helping people, especially on a granular, community based level is something I am very passionate about.”

Kari’s multitude of talents coupled with how deeply our mission resonated with her made her the perfect fit to join the Saint Francis team in 2019. Kari says, “Over the last six and a half years, I have personally gotten to know our partners, our volunteers, many of our donors, and my fellow staff members have become some of my best and dearest friends. It is a great honor and joy of my life to work with the many donors and supporters who believe in this mission. Ensuring that we are good stewards of their generosity and belief in us is a great privilege.” Kari clearly sees the way every piece and every person - each donor, volunteer, partner, and puppy - play a distinct and essential part in something larger than themselves. It is a kind of orchestration that she helps bring together to create something beautiful. “I get to see each of these puppies grow up into smart, capable dogs. I get to meet incredible people who are looking to build fuller, more independent lives for themselves or their families. I get to see the transformation that happens when a dog finds their purpose and a person gains stability, choice, independence, and more. I get to help people make a tangible impact in the lives of these people and dogs through their own generosity and support. It is breathtaking, and I still can’t believe I get to be a part of it.”

Kari’s dogs - Ella and Louie Louie recently passed after a long happy life with Kari, her husband Nathan, and their daughter Charlotte.

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