News Summary
Saralyn Grass was ousted from her position as CEO of Kids Hope Alliance following a board vote due to concerns over conflict of interest allegations and transparency. Her consulting business, Verdant Synergies, sparked scrutiny over potential conflicts within KHA’s operations. A recent ethics review granted her outside employment with restrictions, but questions about governance practices continue to plague the organization. Following her dismissal, Kenneth Darity has been appointed as interim CEO as KHA works to restore public trust.
Jacksonville – Saralyn Grass, the former CEO of Kids Hope Alliance (KHA), was fired on October 23, 2025, in a decisive board vote of 6-to-1. Her dismissal is linked to serious concerns surrounding conflict of interest allegations and a lack of transparency in her role at the nonprofit organization. Grass, who had a salary of $216,000, faced scrutiny for her involvement with a consulting business, Verdant Synergies, that she co-founded with her husband in May 2025.
Verdant Synergies offered grant writing services, which raised potential conflicts of interest with the operations of KHA. In addition to this, Grass admitted to not submitting the required secondary employment paperwork prior to establishing the consulting company. After a subsequent review process, the Jacksonville Ethics Office granted approval for her outside employment, albeit with certain restrictions. However, concerns lingered over the appropriateness of her consulting activities in light of KHA’s operations.
For the fiscal year 2025-2026, KHA allocated over $12.2 million to the Boys & Girls Clubs. This financial arrangement also attracted attention due to the close ties between the council president and the nonprofit, raising further questions about transparency and accountability. During a recent board meeting, KHA board chair Marsha Oliver highlighted her concerns regarding Grass’s lack of transparency and the potential reputational risks posed to the organization.
In response to the board’s decision, Mayor Donna Deegan issued a statement acknowledging Grass’s contributions to the community while also respecting the board’s choice. Following Grass’s termination, Kenneth Darity, who serves as KHA’s Chief Administrative Officer, has been appointed as interim CEO to guide the organization through this transitional period.
Grass was the fourth individual to serve as CEO of KHA since its establishment in 2017, assuming the role in 2023 after her tenure as the chief programs officer. Notably, earlier in the fall, a report from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) indicated that KHA had failed to ensure compliance among some nonprofit partners regarding necessary insurance and liability information. This report highlighted ongoing operational inefficiencies and raised further questions about the organization’s adherence to contractual obligations.
Federal scrutiny over KHA and its operations is not new; back in 2020, allegations of mismanagement and oversight failures under past leadership surfaced, marking a troubling trend that casts a shadow on the organization’s governance practices. The OIG’s recent findings underscored these ongoing issues, emphasizing the need for reforms in compliance measures within KHA.
The city of Jacksonville allocated a total of $52.4 million for child services organizations for the 2025-26 fiscal year, reflecting the significance of KHA’s role in providing essential services. Despite claims from Grass that she had not violated city policies concerning her secondary employment, the board’s decision to terminate her leadership underlines a growing demand for accountability and transparency in public organizations.
As the organization navigates this period of transition, KHA faces the task of restoring public trust while addressing the ongoing scrutiny that has begun to define its operational history. Going forward, the implications of Grass’s departure may serve as a pivotal moment for KHA as it seeks to fortify its leadership and governance practices in the wake of recent allegations and operational challenges.
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Additional Resources
- Action News Jax: Kids Hope Alliance Board Removes CEO
- Wikipedia: Kids Hope Alliance
- WOKV: Kids Hope Alliance Board Removes CEO
- Google Search: Kids Hope Alliance
- Jacksonville Daily Record: Investigation Finds Discrepancies
- Google Scholar: Kids Hope Alliance Ethics
- Action News Jax: Kids Hope Alliance CEO Facing Evaluation
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Kids Hope Alliance
- Jacksonville Daily Record: Kids Hope Alliance Community Funding
- Google News: Kids Hope Alliance
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