COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF BROWARD MAGAZINE
Spread the
‘Lead with Love’
There’s so much to love about the place we call home. Wonderful, caring people. Beautiful weather. A vibrant arts scene. Opportunities for economic advancement. And from the ocean to the Everglades, an awe-inspiring environment that attracts visitors from around the world.
We also know that the community we love faces challenges and needs our support to continue to thrive. That’s why, at the Community Foundation, it’s so inspiring to help foster Broward’s culture of philanthropy. Our support champions student advancement, helps hardworking families in need, fosters the arts, advances equity, protects the environment, expands access to health care and much more. It’s all made possible by our partnerships with philanthropists, professional advisors and nonprofits stepping up to transform lives and invest in innovation.
This issue of Community Matters magazine features examples of how we work with our partners to shape a brighter future for the community we love. You can read about our new endowment to champion nonprofit excellence. See photos from our “Food for Thought” Everglades adventure and learn more about an exciting new exhibit at Flamingo Gardens (where I traded squawks with the eagle in the photo above).
You can also find out the latest about our new “Love” murals collaboration, which is spreading inspiring murals (like the one featured on the cover of this magazine) across Broward.
The murals are an extension of our new slogan, “Lead with Love.” Love for our community drives everything we do at the Community Foundation. We hope this message – like the stories of impact and leadership you find in this magazine – inspire more people to join us. Together, we can accomplish anything for the community we love.
joa@cfbroward.org
President/CEO Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson at the new Flamingo Gardens exhibit.
5
EVERGLADES ADVENTURE
Airboats whisked us away on a “Food for Thought” excursion with the Everglades Foundation that helped us learn more about the famed “River of Grass.”
NONPROFIT CENTER ENDOWMENT
We secured $10 million that ensures ongoing support for the Broward Center for Nonprofit Excellence – our go-to resource for strengthening local nonprofits.
9
‘LEAD WITH LOVE’ MURALS
See the first three “Lead with Love” murals – a public art collaboration with Business for the Arts Broward to spread a message of love and unity.
13
LEGACY SOCIETY CELEBRATION
Legacy Society members enjoyed a sailingthemed celebration at our annual luncheon honoring their commitment to our community.
29
NEW PHILANTHROPY STUDY
An enlightening study sheds light on giving patterns and reveals opportunities to nurture a more vibrant culture of local philanthropy.
Permanent Support for
The Broward Center for Nonprofit Excellence is here to stay, thanks to $10 million in ongoing support secured this spring by the Community Foundation of Broward.
The Community Foundation established the “Nonprofit Center” in 2022 to provide training and other tools that amplify nonprofits’ critical community impact.
At the same time, the Community Foundation committed to raising permanent support for the Nonprofit Center’s work to strengthen the nonprofits that help residents throughout our community.
An early $5 million matching grant commitment from The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation jump-started fundraising and helped launch Nonprofit Center operations. This critical early support enabled the Nonprofit Center to begin inperson and online training sessions for nonprofit professionals and volunteers. It also fueled the creation of the Nonprofit Center website, which features a resource library, nonprofit directory, consultant registry and other helpful tools for nonprofit success.
Less than three years after the launch of the Nonprofit Center, the Community Foundation secured the last of the $5 million in additional support to reach the $10 million milestone. This includes establishing an endowment, which ensures permanent, sustainable support for the Nonprofit
Center. This endowed support enables the Nonprofit Center to adapt and respond over time to the changing needs of local nonprofits. It’s all made possible by partnerships with philanthropists committed to championing the vital work of Broward’s nonprofits.
“Thank you to The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation and all the visionary donors investing their support in this opportunity to strengthen local nonprofits through innovative training, capacity building and other resources,” said Community Foundation President/CEO Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, Ph.D. “With an endowment to guarantee sustainable, permanent support, the Nonprofit Center will always be here to help nonprofits transform lives and enrich our community.”
The Nonprofit Center has quickly become a reliable resource for nonprofit professionals, volunteers and supporters to amplify their impact in our community. Housed at the Community Foundation and operated by the Foundation’s expert team, the Nonprofit Center:
• Provides training and other continuing education
• Supports nonprofit capacity building and core mission work
• Features a website with easy-to-use online tools and information
• Fosters collaborations, mentoring and connections that lead to better community outcomes
Nonprofit ‘Excellence’
The timing of the Nonprofit Center’s launch was particularly impactful for nonprofits still emerging from the effects of the pandemic – providing guidance and resources to help local organizations overcome fundraising challenges and respond to community needs.
During its first two years, the Nonprofit Center served nearly 5,000 participants – representing more than 800 local nonprofits – with training, workshops, mentoring, convenings and other resources that help them build skills and add tools to amplify their impact. During 2024, more than 8,100 visitors to the Nonprofit Center website benefited from virtual classes, a resource database, nonprofit directory and other online tools. In addition, the Nonprofit Center has forged partnerships with state and national organizations to create more training opportunities and bring more nonprofit resources to Broward.
Future plans for the Nonprofit Center include launching a CEO/Executive Director certification program, collaborations to help nonprofits attract diverse and engaged board members, expanded online and in-person training sessions and much more. The Community Foundation continues to partner with philanthropists who want to add their support to bolster the Nonprofit Center’s important mission.
“We are empowering local nonprofits – big and small – to build skills and broaden their capacity to help make life better in Broward,” Nonprofit Center Director Cathy Brown said. “It’s so gratifying to see local philanthropists embrace this opportunity to ensure the Nonprofit Center’s impact never ends.”
9,600+ Nonprofit Center website visitors tapping into online training and other resources 800+ local nonprofits served by Nonprofit Center resources Nonprofit Center’s Growing Impact
you, Founding Donors! See a list of the Nonprofit Center’s visionary supporters. 96% of Nonprofit Center training rated “highly valuable and applicable” from in-person training, convenings, networking and other engagement
-Felipe Pinzon, President/CEO of Hispanic Unity of Florida said about resources available from the Nonprofit Center You are making a profound difference in the lives of those we serve,”
Nonprofit Center Director Cathy Brown leads a training session.
A ‘Food for Thought’ Experience Everglades
Adventure
Not far from condo towers, commuter-clogged roads and a sea of subdivisions, an environmental treasure stretches across western Broward County.
In February, we invited Community Foundation fundholders, Legacy Society members and other supporters to join us for a “Food for Thought” excursion into the Everglades.
Food for Thoughts are exclusive opportunities for our supporters and friends to learn more about Broward’s big issues as well as the work of the Foundation. This time, we took a field trip to Sawgrass Recreation Park to see firsthand how Community Foundation support helps teachers and students learn about the importance of protecting what remains of the famed “River of Grass.”
Support for ‘Everglades Literacy’
Grants from the Community Foundation have long supported the Everglades Foundation’s “Everglades Literacy” program, which provides teachers training and classroom tools to help students learn about the importance of protecting the Everglades. That includes support through the years for field trips that enable teachers and students to experience the Everglades themselves – many for the first time.
Our recent Food for Thought trip to Sawgrass Recreation Park enabled attendees to share that hands-on learning experience, with experts from the Everglades Foundation serving as tour guides for our journey.
Exploring and Learning
Airboats zipped us over Everglades waters, zigzagging among sawgrass to get close to alligators, wading birds and other native species usually hidden from our day-to-day lives in fast-growing Broward. Afterward, we explored animal exhibits that featured dozens of species that call the Everglades home, including snakes, crocodiles and alligators.
Throughout this exhilarating afternoon, we learned more about the history of the Everglades, the threats it faces and what’s being done to protect this environmental treasure.
We also learned why survival of the Everglades means much more to Broward County residents than just protecting dwindling habitat for alligators, panthers and wading birds. We rely on the Everglades to replenish our drinking water supply. The Everglades provides a buffer from hurricanes that sweep in from the Gulf of Mexico. We need the Everglades to survive so that we can keep living here.
Investing in Our Future
Nearly $200,000 in Community Foundation support during the past seven years has helped the Everglades Foundation train hundreds of teachers to bring Everglades Literacy to their classrooms. Thanks to this investment in education – made possible by our fundholders – Broward students are becoming our environmental champions of tomorrow.
Food for Thoughts like this help our community partners see the impact of their support for local nonprofits, such as the Everglades Foundation, and learn about new opportunities for grantmaking from their funds at the Foundation to tackle their charitable priorities.
“There are just so many good (nonprofit) programs, that for one person to kind of dive in and find them all would be overwhelming and you wouldn’t find the true gems that we have,” said Cathy Donnelly, one of our “Community Builders” who establish endowed funds of $1 million or more. “The Community Foundation team does such a great job of vetting all of that and then bringing us to the ones that really matter today and that have immediate needs that we can address.”
See the video of our Everglades adventure
Feel the Feel the
New murals are spreading the “LOVE,” thanks to an exciting collaboration to foster inspiration, unity and leadership throughout Broward County.
The Community Foundation of Broward and Business for the Arts Broward are partnering with renowned artist Cey Adams for the “Lead with Love” mural project. This transformative public art initiative, running through 2027, will create nine “Love”themed murals in communities across Broward.
The goal is to use the power of the arts to enrich and unify the community we love, and promote cultural engagement. The mural campaign coincides with the Community Foundation adopting “Lead with Love” as its new slogan.
“Philanthropy means the love of humanity, and we felt this message was especially appropriate for our growing community,” said Community Foundation President/CEO Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, Ph.D. “This transformational project aims to inspire a movement in Broward to do what is right: to support others, to be kind, to share, to be patient, to demonstrate compassion, to listen, to learn, and to LOVE our community. These murals help Broward grow and develop into a place where we all feel a greater sense of pride and belonging.”
The first artwork in the mural project, the “LOVE Las Olas” mural, is located on the western exterior wall of Hoffman’s Chocolates at 601 E. Las Olas Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale facing Tunnel Top Park. The second mural, called “One Love Plantation” is a colorful mural covering a wall that stretches along Kingsley Park in Plantation. The newest mural, in Dania Beach, features a swirl of colors as well as the city’s motto, “Sea it. Live it. Love it.”
“We are happy to bring the third LOVE mural to Broward County at Dania Beach, and once again merge business and art to uplift and strengthen our community,” said Jarett Levan,
president and CEO of BBX Capital, CEO of IT’SUGAR and Business for the Arts Broward Board Chair.
The “Lead with Love” murals foster unity and pride by creating art that reflects local identity and spirit. Each mural will serve as a cultural landmark, enhancing local character and providing a space for communal gathering and reflection. The murals are lasting symbols of love and cultural diversity, contributing to the artistic landscape of Broward County and fostering a deeper appreciation for art and community collaboration.
The next mural will be located in Hollywood. Another is planned as part of new amenities coming to a revamped Huizenga Park in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Talks are continuing with other cities interested in having “LOVE” murals of their own.
“The inspiration behind my LOVE murals is to encourage viewers to think and see beyond the surface. The goal of my art is to make a direct connection with the public,” Cey Adams said. “Incorporating vibrant colors and positive messages, I hope to create better communication and understanding to bring people together.”
The “Lead with Love” public art collaboration has created murals in Fort Lauderdale (top photo), Plantation (middle photo) and Dania Beach (bottom right) with plans for more spread throughout Broward County.
Meet the
Artist
Meet theArtist
Cey Adams, a New York City native and visionary artist, emerged from the downtown graffiti movement in the 1980s alongside fellow artists Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. He served as the founding Creative Director at Def Jam Recordings, and along with his business partner Steve Carr, co-founded The Drawing Board, the label’s in-house design firm, where they “defined the visual culture of Hip-Hop.”
The creative firm was responsible for some of the most iconic album covers, logos and advertising campaigns for Run-DMC, Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, Slick Rick, Public Enemy, The Notorious B.I.G., DMX, Jay-Z, Usher, Mary J. Blige and many more.
In 2016, Cey was commissioned by The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture to make an artwork titled ONE NATION, a collage made live on the National Mall in Washington, DC.
Cey has collaborated with global brands including Levi’s, Mattel, The Recording Academy, Apple, Bacardi, IDEO, Foot Locker, Converse, YouTube, Google, and many more. He is celebrated for his LOVE murals, which have appeared across the United States in cities such as New York, Detroit, Boston and now communities across Broward County.
MY LOVE MURALS ARE DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE VIEWERS TO THINK AND SEE BEYOND THE SURFACE. THE WORK INSPIRES EXAMINATION AND POSITIVE CONVERSATION.
-Cey Adams
Listen to our podcast episode with Cey about Broward’s “LOVE” murals.
Harnessing the Power of Complex Gifts
Transformative philanthropy is often fueled by outside-the-box giving strategies.
Together, we create customized, well-defined plans that guide how their donations are put to use – today and for generations to come.
To minimize estate tax burdens and maximize giving power, a Tampa philanthropist restructured his wide-ranging business portfolio to ensure permanent support for education, the arts and more.
In Miami, a family that champions the arts donated two luxury homes, with the proceeds fueling support for cultural attractions, economic development and other opportunities to uplift their community for generations to come.
These two examples of creative, powerful giving have something important in common. They both involve collaborations with community foundations that have the expertise to help philanthropists maximize the impact of complex gifts.
They also show what’s possible for Broward County philanthropists who want to maximize their support for the community they love.
Ready to Help Broward Philanthropists Make the Most of Complex Gifts
Like the community foundations in Tampa and Miami, the Community Foundation of Broward includes a team of skilled professionals ready to help philanthropists make the most out of donations of complex assets.
Throughout our 40-year history, we have partnered with philanthropists who donate real estate, gifts of closely held/ private stock, valuable collections, IRA charitable rollovers, private foundation assets and other complex assets to support their charitable priorities.
We collaborate with philanthropists and their professional advisors to explore tax advantages and craft giving strategies that make the most of their charitable dollars.
Benefits of donating complex gifts include:
• Reducing your taxable estate: Gifting real estate or other complex assets during your lifetime can be a strategic way to reduce your estate tax liability and boost the value of your charitable impact.
• Reducing or eliminating your capital gains tax: Assets like appreciated stock can be sold by a charity for 100 cents on the dollar – no capital gains tax applies. That means your favorite charitable causes receive more support than if you had sold that same asset yourself and then donated the proceeds.
• Gaining a “fair market value” tax deduction: Getting a qualified appraisal of your gift may enable you to claim a fair market value charitable deduction during the tax year when the gift was made.
• Avoiding real estate maintenance costs and sales hassles: Once you donate a property you aren’t using, the Community Foundation is responsible for the costs of taking care of it as well as the time commitment and expenses involved in selling it.
Enlisting the Community Foundation for the donation of complex assets enables philanthropists to make the most out of their donations and achieve a level of overall impact they may have never imagined.”
-Marianela Collado, financial advisor and Chair of the Foundation’s Professional Advisors Council
By donating complex assets to create an endowed charitable fund at the Community Foundation, you ensure permanent, sustainable support for causes and nonprofits that matter to you. Our team carefully invests your gift over time. The earnings enable your fund to grow and produce grants that support your charitable priorities forever. We shepherd your fund through the years, ensuring that grants from your fund are always used as intended.
We handle the financial responsibilities and management duties, so you can focus on the joy of giving. Through the power of endowed giving, your legacy of impact never ends.
LegacyCelebrationSociety
The 2025 Legacy Society Luncheon honored the visionaries whose bequests to the Community Foundation will shape a brighter future for the community they love.
We welcomed nearly 200 local philanthropists to our sailing-themed celebration, held Feb. 27 at Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach. Attendees learned about new Foundation initiatives, such as the “Lead with Love” murals collaboration. Rabbi Chaim Salavaticki of the Las Olas Chabad Jewish Center shared about the impact of Foundation support for The Friendship Circle, which helps children with special needs. Kenny Tate, the developer of Bahia Mar who is a Foundation fundholder and Legacy Society member, talked about a collaboration with the development that will fuel future philanthropic support.
Estate gifts from Legacy Society members launch endowed charitable funds that ensure permanent, sustainable support for their charitable passions. What began in 2000 with 19 members whose gift commitments totaled $2 million, today has grown to nearly 200 members with $463 million in promises.
We are honored to be their philanthropy partner, safeguarding their endowed gifts so that their legacy of community impact never ends.
1. Mona Pittenger, Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson & Rabbi Chaim Slavaticki
2. Kenny Tate, Albert Miniaci with Chico, Beatriz Miniaci, Aaron Weeks
3. Donna Bruno & Daryl Miller
4. Jonathan Allen, Kennie Hobbs, Sean Henderson & Bertha Henry
Amplifying ‘Bold Voices’
The Community Foundation of Broward’s “BOLD Voices” podcast explores big issues by showcasing people who partner with us to create BOLD impact in our community. Here are highlights from two episodes.
Caitlin Stella
Caitlin Stella, the visionary President/CEO of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, shares her team’s focus on Love, TLC and “The Power of Play” to create a hospital environment that helps children feel like they’re at home during their stay.
Listen to Caitlin’s full podcast episode.
The Healing Power of Play
What is it like on a day-to-day basis at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital?
A :
“It’s sometimes a very heavy environment, but I feel like the job of the team around the children… is just to make it feel like normal for them. That they’re not in a hospital; they’re having fun. They’re still kids. … We make every corner of the hospital feel as good and as comfortable and as warm and loving and welcoming as it can possibly be. It’s important for me that they don’t feel like they’re in a hospital. … They might not be home, and they might not be at school, and they might not be exactly where they want to be, but they’re at this really interesting place that has some fun stuff going on.”
Why is “love” such an important theme at the hospital?
“Love is at the center of everything that we do. And it’s even in the logo. … Every time we walk in the front door, every time we put on the badge, every time we put on the scrubs … it’s a reminder that that is what’s driving us. We love kids, we love our community, we love what we do.”
How have you incorporated the“healing” and “play” into your facility design?
“The whole building has the theme of the healing power of play. And the first four stories (have) themes. … We started with sports, games, arts, dreams. … The top four floors are imagine, rhythm, adventure and grow. And they all mean something like, for example, the rhythm floor is the cardiac floor. So, the heartbeat, that kind of stuff. We really thought about how to make it special and something memorable. … Every floor has a playroom. We added an outside play space, which is the Hope Terrace.”
How are the children responding?
“You know, for a kid going through whatever it is that puts them in the hospital, knowing that they’re not alone, they’re not the only one, that they’re not different from everybody. Not an outcast. … That is a part of the hospital’s spirit. That you’re always being connected with families that are going through what you’re going through.”
“I’ve been working with kids for 25 years and they are the most wise (and) strong, you know, they have such amazing perspective. …We are absolutely privileged to be the children’s hospital for the families in this community. It is an honor that they trust us with the lives of their children.”
Showcasing Broward’s Haitian Community
Why make this documentary about Broward’s Haitian community?
“There is so much that is just not shared because we tend to focus on the negative. We tend to focus on, oh, poor Haitian community. Look at their country. ...But we also need to know about the other side, the other contributions, the other facts that are not often shared. … The inventors, like I said, the leaders, the physicians, you have doctors that have done historic surgeries that have not been told. ...So, I reached out to the Community Foundation with this idea of sharing the positive story.””
What is it that you want people to take away from watching this documentary?
“This is a documentary to show the other side, to show that there are tremendous contributions made by this community that everybody ought to know. ... There are contributions that have been made by this community of immigrants that are not often told or not often shared or showcased or celebrated.”
This past November you were invited to the White House for a celebration of the Haitian American community. What was that like for you?
“We were invited by the Biden administration. … We had members of the administration make remarks, and we had representation from entertainment. So, we had some of our notable singers and songwriters, social media influencers.
At the same time, we had elected officials, we had folks from the health industry, from obviously the business sector. So, it was a really, really nice time to be in community to celebrate. … We continue to think about our home country and think about ways to improve that situation while at the same time contributing and being a part of the American culture and the American dream.”
Now, here we are just a few months later and deportation is top of mind for everyone who’s come from another country. How is the Haitian community here handling this deportation focus?
“To me, there’s this sense of fear everywhere you go. And it’s not just from Haitians, it’s from just everyone. … We are trying to ensure that we are putting out as much facts as possible out there, first of all, because here’s a lot of incorrect information. … We’re having gatherings, convenings, where we have immigration lawyers and other professionals really educating the community to say, know your rights. … And so that means that you have to be a part of the process. That means you have to educate yourself. That means you have to be a part of the voting process.”
“I think as Americans, it’s a difficult moment, a difficult time that we are all dealing with. Because at the end of the day, whether we admit it or not, ... this country was made up of immigrants.”
Tamara
Beliard Rodriguez
Emmy-winning producer and Haitian immigrant Tamara Beliard Rodriguez shares the story behind “Breaking Barriers,” a powerful new documentary celebrating the vibrant culture, contributions and resilience of Broward County’s Haitian community.
Listen to Tamara’s full podcast episode.
Mayors Philanthropic
The Community Foundation of Broward welcomed local mayors and other municipal officials for an engaging discussion about how philanthropy can help shape stronger, more vibrant communities.
At the inaugural “Mayors Philanthropic Forum,” held on May 14 at the Community Foundation, local leaders learned more about the work of the Foundation as well as ways for philanthropy to help make life better in local communities.
Forum topics included:
• The Foundation’s “Lead with Love” mural collaboration with Business for the Arts Broward to create nine murals that promote love, unity and cultural engagement in communities across Broward.
• A new philanthropy study produced for the Foundation that looks at the generosity and untapped philanthropic potential in Broward.
• A discussion about ways for philanthropy to create positive impact in cities and examples of creative philanthropic partnerships already underway in cities across Broward.
We plan to make the Mayors Philanthropic Forum an annual event where local leaders can discuss opportunities for philanthropy to tackle local needs.
“It’s truly what would, to me, be an ideal partnership of bringing what we know our citizens need and the resources that Community Foundation of Broward has and serving our community together,” Dania Beach Mayor Joyce Davis said.
Mona Pittenger, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis, Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson
Philanthropic Forum
New Philanthropy
We are thrilled to welcome the newest group of philanthropists partnering with us to be more strategic and impactful with their giving.
For more than 40 years, the Community Foundation of Broward has teamed up with individuals, families and organizations to help them do more for the community they love.
With a gift today, our new fundholders launch charitable funds at the Foundation that fuel support for causes and organizations that matter the most to them.
With a planned gift, our new Legacy Society members use their estate plans to ensure their future gifts to the Community Foundation will create endowed charitable funds to support their philanthropic passions forever.
Since the start of our fiscal year, we have partnered with philanthropists to launch 22 new charitable funds at the Foundation and welcomed 14 new Legacy Society members, who have committed to bequests that will launch future endowed funds.
Thank you to all of our new philanthropy partners!
Community Foundation team members watch as new Legacy Society Member Marilyn Francis signs her gift commitment.
Board Chair Mona Pittenger, Rev. Dr. Marcus Davidson, Yvonkia Davidson, President/CEO Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson and Board Vice Chair Jonathan Allen at the Davidsons’ fund agreement signing.
Partners
New Legacy Society Members
Since July 1, 2024
JoAnna Bratt
Colin Brown
Elizabeth C. Eason
Ken Fisher
Marilyn Francis
Lane and Karl Hop
Kathy A. and Larry W. Robinson
Donald Shewmaker
Janet L. Schwartz
Marjorie Turetzky
Rita Verbin & Joel Benjamin
Burnadette Norris-Weeks and Aaron Weeks
Anonymous (2)
New Charitable Funds
Since July 1, 2024
Jacquie Marshall Cancer Research Fund
Nora and Jacquie Wild Life Fund
Stephen Zane Nonack and E. Christopher Saheed Fund
Valerie Ahneman and Gary C. Wendt Leadership Fund
Dr. Marcus and Yvokia Davidson and Family Community Impact Fund
Eric L. and Wanda E. Haynes and Family Community Impact Fund
Little Owl Fund
Mr. Walter Snipes and Dr. Brenda C. Snipes and Family Community Impact Fund
Penny England Foundation Fund
Fernandez Guckes Family Fund
George and Joan Lange Charitable Fund
Ingrid and Brian Poulin Fund
Marc Effron Foundation Fund
Maurer Family Foundation Fund
Ann Storck Center Endowment Fund
Goodman Jewish Family Services Endowment Fund
Mount Olive Gardens
Community Impact Fund (No. 1)
Lauderhill Community Impact Fund
Leo Goodwin Foundation Fund
17th Street Bridge Lighting Project Fund
Florida Children’s Initiative Fund
Sherry Taylor Family Fund
New Fundholder Penny England attends the Legacy Society Luncheon with Phillis Thomas.
Celebrating Community
Community Builders transform our community by partnering with the Community Foundation to establish endowed charitable funds of $1 million or more.
In November, we transformed the Museum of Discovery and Science into a take-a-walk-onthe-wild-side-themed celebration honoring the visionaries whose endowed gifts shape a brighter future.
The 2024 Community Builder Honorees included:
• Lesley Mitchell Jones – whose three endowed funds tackle pressing community challenges, help seniors in need and support organizations she cares about deeply.
• Burnadette Norris-Weeks and Aaron Weeks whose endowed fund ensures permanent support for promoting racial justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Dixie Wheeler – whose estate gift launched an endowed scholarship fund that will empower generations of students to achieve success.
Community Builder Lesley Mitchell Jones, Community Foundation President/CEO Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, Community Builders Burnadette Norris-Weeks and Aaron Weeks, and Foundation Board Chair Juliet Murphy Roulhac at the 2024 Community Builders Celebration.
2025 Community Builder honorees Dev Motwani, Gary Wendt, JoAnna Bratt (representing the Little Owl Fund), and Alice and Mike Jackson attend the ribbon cuttings for their Community Builder plaques.
Community Builders
We’re excited to share that in 2025, the Community Foundation has already added five more Community Builders. They are:
• Dev Motwani – who transforms lives and propels our community to new heights, with endowed support for education, the arts and more.
• Alice and Mike Jackson – whose endowed support champions early education, the arts, cancer research and paying kindness and generosity forward to transform lives and enrich our community.
• Gary Wendt – who shapes brighter futures with endowed support for college scholarships, Boys & Girls Clubs, help for Native Americans to pursue higher education, and training to help nonprofits thrive.
• Little Owl Fund – which ensures permanent support to improve housing, feed the hungry, fight addiction, invest in the arts and education, and protect the environment.
• Robert Taylor and Robin Taylor Fleming – whose endowed fund in honor of their mother, Sherry Taylor, ensures permanent support for Sheridan House Family Ministries, which helps children, single mothers and families.
We now have 65 Community Builders, whose combined $150 million+ in gifts account for about half of the Community Foundation’s grantmaking power. Thank you to all of our Community Builders!
Nonprofit Community Builders
In 2024, we launched a new category of Community Builders, honoring Nonprofit Community Builders These visionary partners include nonprofit organizations with endowments at the Foundation that have grown to $1 million or more. Our first Nonprofit Community Builders honorees include:
The Museum of Discovery and Science Nova Southeastern University Mailman Segal Center Women in Distress LifeNet4Families SOS Children’s Villages Youth Automotive Training Centers Camp Boggy Creek Anonymous nonprofit
Thank you to our 2024 Community Builder event sponsors!
Castle Group | GOLD PRESENTING SPONSOR Northern Trust | SILVER DINNER SPONSOR
Holy Cross Health | SILVER GIFT SPONSOR Memorial Healthcare System | SILVER VALET SPONSOR Pier Sixty-Six | BRONZE PROGRAM SPONSOR SouthState Bank | BRONCE ENTERTAINMENT SPONSOR
Former Board Member Margarita Castellon (center) with (left to right) Community Builders Steve Hudson, Cathy Donnelly, James Donnelly, Steve Halmos and Nancy Lynn Brown at the 2024 celebration.
The Fushu Daiko drummers perform at the 2024 Community Builders Celebration.
Cey Adams unveils his “LOVE” collage, created for the Community Foundation office, at the 2024 Community Builders Celebration.
Learning to Stay
Spread your wings like a butterfly. Dig like a gopher tortoise. Design your own coyote den.
Two fun, hands-on exhibits are helping visitors learn more about protecting diverse wildlife and precious ecosystems in Broward County and across Florida.
The newly opened attractions – one at Flamingo Gardens in Davie and the other at the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale – showcase the importance of protecting Broward’s remaining natural areas as well as the conservation benefits of the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Created to both entertain children and enlighten adults, the exhibits are made possible by support from the Community Foundation of Broward.
Visitors to the Museum of Discovery and Science exhibit learn about the different animals that live on natural areas tucked between Broward neighborhoods. At Flamingo Gardens, the exhibit explores the Everglades and the many animals that live in the famed “River of Grass.” A future exhibit is planned for Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. A common theme among all three is showing how protecting wildlife habitat also helps people by replenishing Broward’s drinking water supplies, bolstering our tourism economy and making our communities more resilient to climate change.
In addition, these new outdoor learning experiences highlight how protecting Broward’s natural areas complements the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
The corridor includes nearly 18 million acres of contiguous natural areas and agricultural land that are critical habitat for threatened animals across Florida. The Florida panther, gopher tortoise, manatee, burrowing owl, red-cockaded woodpecker, swallow-tailed kite and black bear are among the imperiled animals living in the corridor.
In addition to protecting land animals need to survive, the Florida Wildlife Corridor helps people by offering recreation opportunities, keeping land in ranching, protecting wetlands that bolster drinking water supplies and fishing grounds, and buffering urban areas from strengthening storms.
Spreading the word about the value of conservation through the new “outdoor classrooms” created at Flamingo Gardens and the Museum of Discovery and Science is another example of the Community Foundation’s investment in support for a resilient and sustainable environment. By partnering with the philanthropists who care about protecting wildlife and natural areas, these exhibits are part of our ongoing work to empower the next generation of Broward environmental champions. At the ribbon cuttings for the new exhibits at Flamingo Gardens and the Museum of Discovery and Science, our team got to be among the first to explore these engaging outdoor learning attractions.
News & Notes
SUPPORT FOR BROWARD PARTNERSHIP
The Community Foundation is providing $300,000 in new support for the Broward Partnership’s work to help people overcome homelessness. Spread over two years, the Community Foundation grant will help job training and employment services available through the Broward Partnership’s Workforce Development Program. This investment in tackling homelessness is a key part of our Social & Economic Mobility grantmaking focus area, which provides support to empower hardworking residents to move to financial stability and establish a strong economic foundation to break the cycle of poverty. During 2024, the Community Foundation provided nearly $2 million in grants for Social & Economic Mobility.
‘FOOD FOR THOUGHT’ CANCER RESEARCH UPDATE
Fundholders and other supporters joined us for an inspiring “Food for Thought” about local philanthropy fueling the fight against cancer. An expert panel shared updates about cancer research made possible with Community Foundation support. Attendees also saw the “MobileMinds” van that brings lessons in brain science and health to young learners throughout Broward. Food for Thoughts are exclusive opportunities to learn more about the work of the Foundation and big challenges facing our community. Special thanks to Dr. Bernardo Fernandez, Corporate Physician Executive at Broward Health and a former Foundation Board Member, who moderated our discussion with local doctors.
‘PRESS FORWARD’ COLLABORATION
The Community Foundation is excited to join Press Forward South Florida, a new collaboration supporting local news and information to ensure everyone has access to the knowledge communities need to thrive. At a time when our need to know is greater than ever, the local news outlets we have long relied on are shrinking. So, we are teaming up with The Miami Foundation and other foundation partners to champion support for meeting information needs in each of our communities. We started by surveying local news needs, which will guide fundraising for new ways to support the local news we require. Stay tuned!
PHILANTHROPY WORKSHOP
This spring we hosted a philanthropy workshop, where Community Foundation experts helped fundholders, legacy givers, professional advisors and more learn how to craft their “Giving Game Plan.” Seasoned philanthropists, community leaders and our professional team guided participants through a hands-on experience that provided new tools and fresh perspectives to help make giving more strategic and impactful. Thank you to everyone who joined us! We look forward to hosting more workshops and similar get-togethers where members of our philanthropy family can benefit from the Community Foundation’s expertise. (Photo: Amanda Kah, Nancy Thies, Albert Miniaci with Chico, and Joan Crain.)
BRIDGE LIGHTING PARTNERSHIP
The Community Foundation has joined a collaboration to transform Fort Lauderdale’s 17th Street Causeway Bridge into an illuminating artistic attraction, beautifying the gateway to Fort Lauderdale Beach. The $6 million “Everyone Under the Stars” project, to be completed by 2027, will shine a colorful combination of lights on the bridge creating an awe-inspiring complement to the new Broward Convention Center and Hotel and re-imagined Pier Sixty-Six. The Community Foundation is joining the collaboration by safeguarding and managing the support raised for this exciting transformation of a key community artery.
LGBTQ+ GRANTMAKING COLLABORATION
One of the ways we champion support for the LGBTQ+ community is our grantmaking collaboration with The Our Fund Foundation. This year, we teamed up to provide $360,000 in support to foster a more informed, inclusive and equitable environment for LGBTQ+ residents. Formed in 2022, this strategic grantmaking partnership between the two foundations combines our philanthropic resources and expertise to amplify our impact in targeted areas of need. This year, 10 nonprofits – vetted by a joint selection committee – received grants ranging from $29,000 to $50,000 each to support legal aid, the arts, youth programs, advocacy, education and more.
News & Notes
LAUDERHILL LAUNCHES ENDOWED FUND
A collaboration between the Community Foundation and the City of Lauderhill established an endowed source of support for community projects and programs that will enhance the quality of life for local residents for generations to come. Seeded with a $50,000 contribution from the city and managed by the careful stewardship of the Community Foundation, the new endowed fund will produce grants that could support parks, educational programs, festivals, recreational programs, healthy community initiatives or other opportunities to help make life better in Lauderhill. The fund’s investment income, along with future community donations, creates a permanent, sustainable source of support.
LESSONS LEARNED FROM CELEBRITY ESTATE PLANS
Professional Advisors Council members and their guests joined us at their spring meeting for an evening of networking and entertaining estate planning insights. Odelia Goldberg, Esq., – a distinguished attorney specializing in estate planning, probate and real estate law – talked about her experiences with celebrity estate plans. Opportunities to learn from local experts and engage with peers are among the benefits of joining our Professional Advisors Council, which includes attorneys, accountants and financial advisors who help their clients achieve their charitable goals by collaborating with the Community Foundation.
‘WLW CATALYST GRANTS’ BOOST ARTS AND CULTURE
New WLW Catalyst Grants will enable arts and cultural organizations to strengthen their programs, implement bold new initiatives, increase reach and/or enhance organizational capabilities. The purpose is to empower organizations to think strategically and imaginatively about how to strengthen and broaden their impact. Nonprofits from across Broward were invited to submit a Letter of Intent for these newly established grants. This summer, selected organizations will be asked to submit formal proposals, with final grant decisions announced in August. Maximum grants awarded for projects can be up to $100,000 per year for up to two years.
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ‘PLATINUM’ RATING
The Community Foundation is proud to share that we have maintained our Platinum Seal of Transparency rating on Candid’s GuideStar. Candid provides social sector data, tools and other resources for nonprofits nationwide. By earning Candid’s top level of recognition, we continue to set an example of transparency and accountability. Maintaining our Platinum rating from Candid is the latest example of how the Community Foundation sets high standards and incorporates best practices. More than two decades ago, we became the first community foundation in Florida to earn accreditation by the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations and we maintain our accreditation as a continued commitment to accountability and excellence.
PRIVATE FOUNDATION ROUNDTABLE
Malcolm Macleod (on the right), the former President and CEO of the Johnson Scholarship Foundation, joined us in March for a Private Foundation Roundtable – an engaging get-together where fundholders, family foundations and other supporters learned more about opportunities to make a difference. Malcolm’s book, “The Practice of Philanthropy,” explores effective grantmaking and other insights about running foundations. Our Private Foundation Roundtables foster important conversations about how local philanthropy can shape a brighter future. By collaborating with the Community Foundation, private foundations can benefit from our grantmaking expertise, enlist our guidance about local issues and innovative nonprofits, and leverage their giving with others to create greater impact.
2025 BOARD LEADERSHIP
The Community Foundation’s 2025 Board of Directors is off to a great start guiding our grantmaking and community leadership efforts. This year’s Board officers include: (top row of photo) Mona Pittenger, Board Chair; Jonathan Allen, Vice Chair; Burnadette Norris-Weeks, Secretary; (bottom row) Bertha Henry, Treasurer; Ramona Lacy Fowler, At-Large; and Eric Vainder, At-Large. This year we welcomed new Board members: Marianela Collado, Trevor Fried, Ken Kappner and Pam E. Booker Pettis. Returning Board members include: Holly Hudson Bodenweber, Ted Christie, Aurelio Fernandez, David W. Horvitz, Susanne Cornfeld Hurowitz, Alice Lucia Jackson, Dara Levan, Sigrid S. McCawley, Greg Medalie, Brian M. Poulin and John Templeton. Thank you to all of our Board Members!
FORMER BOARD MEMBERS LUNCHEON
We had a great time hosting former Board members for a luncheon where we provided an update on Community Foundation efforts, showcased future plans and gained valuable insights from these champions of local philanthropy. Guest speaker Justin Sayfie also led a thought-provoking presentation about the political climate. We are grateful that for four decades, Broward’s top leaders have volunteered their time and talents to serve on our Board. Our annual luncheons with former Board members are a time for warm reunions and meaningful feedback from these community leaders who continue to help us shape a brighter future. (Photo left to right: Former Board Members Kurt Zimmerman, James Donnelly, Jane Bolin, Arlene Pecora and current Board Member Eric Vainder.)
Unlocking Broward’s Giving Potential
How can Broward County nonprofits forge deeper connections with supporters who have the potential to lift our community to new heights?
A groundbreaking study produced for the Community Foundation of Broward examines charitable giving patterns and reveals opportunities to nurture a more vibrant culture of local philanthropy.
“Unlocking Opportunities: Shaping the Future of Charitable Giving in Broward County,” conducted by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, looks at the generosity and untapped philanthropic potential of the county. Following up on our 2021 study, this new deep dive into local giving blends data insights with perspectives from the community garnered through interviews with residents to offer recommendations for elevating philanthropy in Broward County.
The report shows that our community can create an even greater charitable impact if nonprofits grow and evolve their outreach and collaboration with those who want to support the community they love.
Key findings include:
• Giving in Broward County remains lower than in similar-sized communities. Focus group participants who had not given in the past year cited health care costs, care giving, and other unexpected life circumstances as the top reasons that they were not able to give.
• Opportunities to expand local philanthropy require long-term commitment from nonprofits. Participants frequently highlighted nonprofits’ organizational leadership and demonstratable impact as important in their philanthropic decisionmaking process.
• Identity plays an important role in how and where households give, particularly among diverse donors. To better engage these communities, nonprofits should consider more inclusive communications and fundraising approaches.
• Donors find fulfillment through broader forms of generosity. That includes volunteering and leveraging their connections to expand a nonprofit’s reach.
• Trust levels in nonprofits are generally high, with some exceptions. Participants had lower levels of trust in organizations that they perceived as wasteful or dishonest.
• Interest in Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) and other newer strategic giving vehicles is growing, especially among diverse donors. A substantial portion of participants reported they made a change to their giving patterns in the last few years to be more strategic.
“Philanthropy is deeply personal, shaped by individual experiences, traditions and connections. Identifying key themes and practices that resonate with residents of Broward County and beyond equips organizations and donors with insights to deepen their philanthropic connections,” said Una Osili, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Research and International Programs at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
