Cristal Maria, Program Officer, Cohorts and Collaborations

Cristal joined the Cape Cod Foundation in July 2026 as Program Officer, Cohorts and Collaborations. In this role, she leads the Catalyst Grant cohorts, designing and facilitating collaborative learning experiences that strengthen nonprofit capacity and community impact across Cape Cod. She also leads the design and execution of other proactive grantmaking initiatives, drawing on her background in social impact strategy, research, and grantmaking.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Cristal was a Manager at a boutique social impact consulting firm, where she led strategy, research, grantmaking, and stakeholder engagement initiatives for funders and public-sector partners focused on education and workforce development. In that role, she helped lead grant strategy and grantee engagement for a statewide $90 million grant program in Colorado and supported clients in translating ambitious goals into practical, measurable outcomes for communities.

Throughout her career, Cristal has been guided by a commitment to community-centered philanthropy. She is particularly interested in how funders can build equitable, evidence-informed strategies that elevate lived experience, foster meaningful partnerships, and create lasting impact.

Originally from New York, Cristal moved to Hyannis in 2025 and now lives in her partner’s childhood home with their dog, Suki. As a relatively new wash-ashore, she enjoys exploring the Cape’s towns, connecting with her community, and discovering all that the region has to offer alongside her partner and four-legged sidekick.