TONY FINSTROM FUND AT OUR FUND

Photos Courtesy of Pierson Grant

THE TONY FINSTROM FUND AT OUR FUND WILL SUPPORT THE SILVER PALM AWARDS IN PERPETUITY

Finstrom’s Extraordinary Love of the Theater Lives on Through His Legacy Gift

Our Fund Foundation announced the final wishes. With his estate plan now settled, creation of The Tony Finstrom Fund at Finstrom returns for a final encore to debut Our Fund which will support the Silver The Tony Finstrom Fund at Our Fund, ensuring Palm Awards in perpetuity. continuous financial support of the Silver In keeping with Finstrom’s lifelong love of served as chairman and executive producer for the theater, he created a personalized legacy many years. gift prior to his passing in late 2018 and Palm Awards which he co-founded and proudly entrusted Our Fund Foundation to fulfill his Finstrom had said of the Silver Palm Awards,

“These awards are for those who've made an outstanding or unique contribution to South Florida theater. There are no nominees, no winners or losers, and no limit to the number of citations given. It's one of the biggest yearly networking parties for our theatre community and, from my point of view, it's so entertaining to watch everyone come together and have a great time, while they celebrate some amazing work.”

“There is much to admire about the way Tony lived his life. He surrounded himself with wonderful people who shared his interest in theatre and culture. Our Fund Foundation is honored that he trusted us to carry on his legacy with the continuation of the Silver Palm Awards. We look forward to bringing his friends together annually for the celebration of South Florida theatre that Tony helped to launch,” said David Jobin, president and CEO of Our Fund Foundation.

His voracious adoration of theater embraced all facets of the craft. He was a prolific screenwriter and playwright who wrote countless plays, full-length works, and short vignettes. He was an arts journalist both professionally and personally who was known for his wit and sense of humor.

"I miss Tony every day. South Florida theater had no bigger fan. He was a great friend and beloved patron to so many people and organizations. The Silver Palm Awards are his legacy, and we celebrate his memory by keeping them alive," said award-winning playwright Michael McKeever. “Tony loved the South Florida theatre community and he made sure his love would continue after he was gone.”

Finstrom worked backstage in various aspects of production, served on multiple boards for theater companies, and attended and critiqued thousands of performances throughout South Florida and beyond - both a devotee and judge for the Carbonell Awards.

“As he did during his life, Tony wanted to take care of his beloved theater community even after he was gone. It’s fitting, and not at all surprising, that he left a fund to carry on the Silver Palm Awards, and a small piece of himself, with those he loved, and who loved him,” said longtime friend and colleague Matt May.

A staunch advocate for regional theater and beloved patron of the arts, Finstrom was a constant fixture and a generous benefactor. His name was frequently listed in the donors’ list in the playbills of a majority of theaters in South Florida – large institutions, small troupes, struggling theaters. He received numerous honors during his lifetime including the Carbonell’s Charlie Cinnamon Award in 2018 and the South Florida Theatre League’s Remy Pioneer Award in 2018.

Intentional estate planning is especially important in the LGBTQ+ community in which individuals are three to four more times less likely than heterosexuals to have children. As the Stonewall Generation ages, long-term care and estate planning should be addressed. By 2030, there will be an estimated 7 million LGBT people in the United States over 50 years old. About 4.7 million of them will need elder care and services, according to SAGE, a national non-profit organization that has been advocating for and providing services to LGBTQ+ elders for 42 years.

Our Fund Foundation’s mission is to secure the LGBTQ+ community’s future by promoting and increasing responsible philanthropy, strengthening community organizations and their leaders, and connecting donors to causes that matter. Established in 2011, Our Fund Foundation has grown into the third largest LGBTQ+ foundation in the nation. As South Florida’s only LGBTQ+ community foundation, Our Fund promotes a culture of philanthropy by uniting donors with organizations; advancing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties; and supporting causes within the LGBTQ+ community. To learn more about how Our Fund Foundation can help you establish a legacy plan, please contact Our Fund at DJobin@Our-Fund.org, call (954) 565-1090 or visit www.Our-Fund.org/Ways-To-Give/#Tab-Legacy-Giving.