Community Matters magazine - Spring 2026

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF BROWARD MAGAZINE

Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, Ph.D. President/CEO

CHAMPIONS OF BROWARD

The cover of this Community Matters magazine shows what a fun time we had at this year’s Legacy Society celebration. We loved teaming up with the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers for a champions-themed luncheon to honor philanthropists whose future estate gifts will shape a brighter future for the community we all love.

Of course, estate gifts are just one of the ways we partner with local philanthropists and others to champion support for making life better in Broward. This issue of our magazine showcases several examples of how Community Foundation fundholders, our nonprofit partners, local professional advisors and more are teaming up with us to make a lasting difference.

On the pages ahead you can see how our ongoing “Lead with Love” public art collaboration added an inspiring mural to the newly renovated Huizenga Park in downtown Fort Lauderdale. You will learn about exciting matching grants enabling nonprofits to create endowments that ensure sustainable, permanent support for their important work for Broward residents. You can read about a new kind of scholarship empowering college students to experience the world beyond classrooms. And you will find uplifting stories about how we help philanthropists create a lasting impact in support of their charitable passions.

We are so grateful to the many individuals, families and organizations who partner with the Community Foundation to transform lives and uplift our community through the power of local philanthropy. You are all true champions of Broward!

joa@cfbroward.org

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LEGACY SOCIETY CELEBRATION

The Florida Panthers helped us host a champions-themed celebration of our Legacy Society’s commitment to estate gifts.

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NEW ‘LOVE’ MURAL

Our “Love” mural collaboration adds to the revitalization of Huizenga Park.

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ENDOWMENT MATCHING PROGRAM

New matching grants help nonprofits grow endowments that support their charitable missions for generations to come.

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FOSTERING ‘HEALTH HUBS

“Health hubs” help with food insecurity, mental health, affordable housing and other challenges.

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NONPROFIT RESILIENCE

New report showcases the impact of our Nonprofit Center and its exciting plans for the future.

‘Love’ Enlivens Huizenga Park

A new “Lead with Love” mural is one of the featured attractions at the revitalized Huizenga Park in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

The latest “Love” mural is part of the Community Foundation of Broward’s collaboration with visionary artist Cey Adams and Business for the Arts Broward to create nine love-themed murals that foster inspiration, unity and leadership in communities across Broward. The ambitious project, running through 2027, uses the power of the arts to enliven and unify the community we love by promoting cultural engagement.

The murals serve as cultural landmarks, enhancing local character and providing a space for communal gathering and reflection. Their vibrant colors and swirling images become 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 new “Love” mural at Huizenga Park adorns the side of a pavilion, beside the main public gathering spot – the “Civic Lawn” – at the revitalized park that re-opened in January.

“This beautiful new mural represents a powerful intersection of art and community spirit in downtown Fort Lauderdale,” said Community Foundation President/CEO Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, Ph.D. “By placing this vibrant artwork in one of our city’s most cherished gathering places, we’re creating a visual reminder that love and connection are the foundation of a thriving Broward County.”

Downtown’s New ‘Urban Oasis’

The “Love” mural is just one of the new attractions made possible by a dynamic multi-million-dollar, public/ private partnership that has transformed Huizenga Park into Downtown Fort Lauderdale’s signature public gathering place.

The nearly 4-acre park – wedged between Las Olas Boulevard, Andrews Avenue and the New River – now includes a series of uniquely designed “outdoor rooms” that offer opportunities for leisure, exercise, sharing meals, attending events, walking dogs and so much more.

Visitors can spread a blanket on the expansive “Civic Lawn.” Take a selfie in front of the “Spirit of Fort Lauderdale Fountain” or the “Butterflies” sculpture. Explore kid-friendly, climbable hills in “Poppy’s Play Patch.” Let their dogs play in the fenced-in “Dog Spot.” Stroll along the

‘Love’ Enlivens Huizenga Park

river and take a seat at the “Riverwalk Terrace.” Soon, the new Sweetwaters restaurant will add to the dining experience offered by park concessionaires.

Park supporters envisioned creating a space that could be used morning through evening every day of the year. Already, the revamped park offers programming ranging from pop-up musical performances to Zumba classes; sunset yoga to “yappy hour” get-togethers for dogs and their people.

“This revitalized park reflects our city’s commitment to supporting green spaces that bring people together,” Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis posted on Facebook after the park’s re-opening. “From enhanced landscaping to areas designed for events, relaxation and everyday enjoyment, Huizenga Park is once again a destination for everyone to enjoy.”

Rallying Community Support

Back in 2024, Huizenga Park Foundation Chair Steve Hudson – a former Community Foundation Board Chair and a member of the Huizenga family – championed the public/private park reimagining by saying, “all the world-class cities have world-class parks.”

The Community Foundation is proud to have been a part of the park revitalization effort led by the Huizenga Park Foundation’s collaboration with the Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority. Support from the City of Fort Lauderdale, the business community, the State of Florida and local philanthropists were also key to making the revitalized park a reality.

Support for the park includes more than $630,000 in grants from charitable funds at the Community Foundation, which helped fuel the park’s transformation and ensure ongoing support for arts programming at the park. This includes the “Love” mural, which is just the beginning of how public art at the park will enhance this public gathering spot for generations.

“From the very beginning, this project was guided by a simple but powerful idea to create an iconic park for everyone, forever, that is uniquely Fort Lauderdale,” Huizenga Park Foundation Chair Steve Hudson said at the park re-opening on Jan. 24. “When you look around, we’ve done just that.”

Finding the ‘Love’

Huizenga Park re-opened on Jan. 24 after a publicprivate revitalization project led by the Huizenga Park Foundation and Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority, with support from the City of Fort Lauderdale, State of Florida, Community Foundation and many other park supporters.

The new “Love” mural in Huizenga Park is the fourth installment of the “Lead with Love” public arts initiative to spread inspiring murals to nine communities across Broward. The first mural is on the western exterior wall of Hoffman’s Chocolates at 601 E. Las Olas Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. The second mural is at Kingsley Park in Plantation. The third mural adorns the Dania Beach Marina. The newly completed fifth mural is located on an exterior wall at Kelly’s Chemicals at 135 NE 1st Ave. in Pompano Beach.

Honoring the Huizengas’ Impact

Downtown Fort Lauderdale has been transformed by growth and development and welcomed thousands of new residents since the late 1990s when the park was created. Now the revitalized park offers beautiful, welcoming public spaces to serve a growing downtown population – and set a new standard for urban parks across the country. The upgrades are also befitting ways to honor the park’s namesake, entrepreneur and philanthropist Wayne Huizenga.

Wayne’s business acumen and investments helped launch the growth that led to the Downtown Fort Lauderdale we know today. Similarly, Wayne and Marti Huizenga’s love for community and dedication to giving back created an enduring legacy of impact. Their support through the years has championed education, animal welfare, youth programs, the arts and other opportunities to transform lives and uplift our community. And forty years ago, Wayne and Marti Huizenga showed their dedication to local philanthropy by becoming the Community Foundation’s first “Founding Benefactors.” Grants from their charitable fund at the Community Foundation have provided support for after-school programs, local schools and much more.

JUMP-STARTING NONPROFIT

Newly created endowments ensure that help for Broward County cancer patients never ends. They fuel sustainable support for protecting our fragile environment. They bolster community resources empowering people to overcome homelessness.

These are just a few examples of how a new matchinggrants initiative enables local nonprofits to create endowments at the Community Foundation of Broward that will fuel their critical missions in our community for generations.

As a part of The Jim Moran Foundation’s 25th Anniversary, a special $1 million grant was awarded for The Jim Moran Foundation Endowment Partners Matching Fund at the Community Foundation. Support from this fund will match 50 percent of the amount of new Nonprofit Endowment Funds that organizations establish at the Community Foundation.

By creating a Nonprofit Endowment Fund at the Community Foundation, nonprofits establish sustainable, permanent support for their work to transform lives and shape a brighter future for our community.

ENDOWMENTS

Here’s how the matching-grants initiative works:

• Participating nonprofit organizations establish a Nonprofit Endowment Fund of at least $50,000 at the Community Foundation.

• The Jim Moran Foundation provides a match of 50 percent, up to $200,000 per organization.

• Through careful investment, the Community Foundation’s expert team shepherds and grows the Nonprofit Endowment Funds, so year after year nonprofits can count on dedicated support to fuel their missions.

• The nonprofits must be based in and serve Broward County, with annual operating budgets of $2 million or less.

The matching grants for new endowments are available until Dec. 31, 2026 or until all the matching support has been committed, whichever comes first. Canine Assisted Therapy, Gilda’s Club South Florida, John Knox Village Foundation, Leadership Broward, Showering Love and Youth Environmental Alliance are among the nonprofits taking advantage of this opportunity to jump-start new endowments.

“An endowment through the Community Foundation of Broward— matched by The Jim Moran Foundation—builds long-term financial stability for Youth Environmental Alliance Inc., letting us expand programs ... increase our reach, protect local habitats and plan multiyear projects,” Executive Director Kristen Hoss said. “New donors who want to leave a legacy of education and environmental sustainability can contribute to our endowment, knowing their gift will grow and support youth and conservation efforts in perpetuity.”

Longtime Philanthropy Partners

The endowment matching-grants initiative adds an exciting new chapter to the Community Foundation’s longtime partnership with Jim and Jan Moran to elevate local philanthropy.

Established in 2000 by automotive pioneer Jim Moran to ensure his philanthropy would endure beyond his lifetime, the mission of The Jim Moran Foundation is to improve the quality of life for the youth and families of Florida through the support of innovative programs and opportunities that meet the ever-changing needs of the community. It has invested more than $335 million in education, elder care, family strengthening and youth transitional living initiatives with efforts currently focused in Broward, Palm Beach and Duval counties.

We value the expertise of the Community Foundation’s financial advisors and recognize that partnering with the Foundation to ensure long-term sustainability is far more effective than trying to do it on our own.”

- Kim Praintano President & CEO Gilda’s Club South Florida

Jan Moran is a former Community Foundation Board member. She and Jim were among the first Community Foundation supporters to become “Community Builders” – visionaries who partner with the Community Foundation to create endowed charitable funds of $1 million or more to fuel support for their charitable passions.

“I often recall my husband saying, ‘The future belongs to those who prepare for it,’” said Jan Moran, chairman and president of The Jim Moran Foundation. “Through our partnership with the Community Foundation, we are happy to help nonprofits establish endowments that can support their important work in perpetuity.”

CELEBRATING THE OF ESTATE GIFTS

Incorporating charitable giving into your estate plan is a powerful way to establish a legacy that transforms lives and uplifts our community. By making a bequest to the Community Foundation in your will, you launch an endowed fund that ensures your charitable impact continues for generations to come.

Visionaries who make estate gift commitments to the Community Foundation join our “Legacy Society.” Membership in the Legacy Society is one of the ways we say “thank you” today to philanthropists whose future gifts will shape a brighter future for the community they love.

On Feb. 25 we welcomed nearly 200 supporters to our annual Legacy Society Luncheon, held at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale. For our “Champions of Broward”-themed celebration, we teamed up with the reigning NHL Champion Florida Panthers to showcase the impact of local philanthropy and honor the power of estate gifts.

Our guests learned that the Legacy Society’s combined future gifts will deliver more than $488 million to strengthen our community for generations. Arc Broward and the Humane Society – two organizations long supported by the Community Foundation and now getting support from Panthers players – shared how local philanthropy helps children with disabilities and finds new homes for shelter animals. Attendees also met former Panther players, tried on championship rings and posed for photos with the Florida Panthers Dance Team and mascots.

Thank you, Legacy Society members, for partnering with us to ensure your legacy of community support goes on forever!

Thank you to our Sponsors!

PRESENTING SPONSOR: TD Bank

LUNCH SPONSOR: Holy Cross Health

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GIFT SPONSOR: Bessemer Trust

VALET SPONSOR: Zimmerman & Associates, P.A.

| Legacy Society members Adrelia and Jonathan Allen, Board Chair, with the Florida Panther mascots.

| Bertha Henry, Board Treasurer; Alice

Board member; Burnadette Norris-Weeks, Board Vice Chair 9 | President/CEO Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson (center) with former Panther players Anders Ericksson, Serge Payer, Peter Worrell and Jamie Allison 10 | Legacy Society members LaDonna Calton Vieweg, Cathy Donnelly and Beatriz Miniaci

Heart Gallery’s Enduring Legacy

For two decades, the nonprofit Heart Gallery of Broward County has championed making life better for foster children.

That includes finding foster children permanent homes through adoption. Providing birthday gifts, school supplies, holiday parties and other opportunities to show foster children their community cares about them. Helping adoptive families thrive by connecting them to support services and other community resources. Through it all, Heart Gallery’s leaders and dedicated supporters have shown a steadfast commitment to enriching the lives of Broward’s foster youth.

Now, through an innovative partnership with the Community Foundation of Broward, the Heart Gallery’s critical mission to support foster children will never end – even as the nonprofit organization ceases operations.

By creating The Heart Gallery Legacy Fund at the Community Foundation, the Heart Gallery is using the power of endowment to establish sustainable, permanent support for shaping brighter futures for Broward’s foster children.

The Heart Gallery began as a traveling photography exhibit, featuring professional portraits and moving personal stories to showcase foster children awaiting adoption. Through the years, the organization transitioned to an online format to share those stories, while also pursuing other outreach efforts to raise awareness about adoption and to provide support for children and adoptive families.

In recent years, changes to state law added limits to the use of foster children’s photos. As a result, Heart Gallery’s leaders determined their organization’s photo-and-story-driven approach to helping foster children was no longer viable. So, while sunsetting the nonprofit’s operations this year, Heart Gallery backers partnered with the Community Foundation to ensure its mission would never end.

They did it by creating an endowed Field of Interest Fund – one of several types of charitable funds that philanthropists and nonprofit organizations can create at the Community Foundation.

Grants from a Field of Interest Fund are dedicated to supporting a specific issue or cause, in this case, support for foster children and adoption. The Community Foundation’s expert team will find innovative grantmaking opportunities to carry on the Heart Gallery’s mission to support foster children and adoptive families. We make sure those grants are always used as intended. And because it’s an endowed fund, our careful investment helps the Heart Gallery’s fund continue to grow, so this grantmaking help for children and families continues year after year, for generations to come.

“Heart Gallery’s new endowed fund at the Community Foundation is a powerful example of how a nonprofit’s mission can continue to thrive and make an impact for years to come, even after an organization sunsets,” said Community Foundation President/CEO Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, Ph.D. “We are proud to carry on Heart Gallery’s enduring legacy of helping Broward’s foster youth.”

PEOPLE WHO CARE, CAUSES THAT MATTER

Connecting “people who care to causes that matter” is an essential part of the Community Foundation’s mission.

Sometimes that means finding new, innovative opportunities for philanthropists to make a lasting difference.

Others already know where they want their support to go. They enlist us as a trusted fiduciary to handle grantmaking and make sure their support is used as intended.

Many turn to us to safeguard and grow endowments, ensuring their support for the community never ends.

Whatever your philanthropy needs, enlisting our expertise makes your giving easier and more impactful. Here are a few examples.

JEAN COLKER Support for Seniors

The Community Foundation knew just who to turn to when we learned about an exciting opportunity to help seniors struggling to afford raising their children’s children.

Older residents getting thrust back into the responsibility of caring for children is becoming more common. Broward’s lack of affordable housing adds to the economic challenges of taking on childcare responsibilities late in life.

To help meet that growing need, the nonprofit H.O.M.E.S. Inc. proposed creating more affordable, long-term housing to help seniors caring for kids. It’s a natural extension of H.O.M.E.S. Inc’s more than 30-year commitment to providing housing, food and other critical assistance to lowincome families, as well as support for young people transitioning from foster care to life on their own.

To make it happen, H.O.M.E.S. Inc needed an infusion of $300,000 to start building four two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments in Fort Lauderdale, dedicated to helping senior-led families.

So, our team reached out to Jean Colker, a longtime philanthropist whose endowed fund at the Community Foundation, Colker Cares for Seniors, is dedicated to helping Broward seniors live life to the fullest. Over the next five years, support from Jean’s endowed fund will enable H.O.M.E.S. Inc. to expand this affordable housing help for seniors.

Helping people makes you feel good. ... I feel that there’s enough for everybody in this world. If we would all give a little of what we have and share, it would be a wonderful world.”

- Jean Colker “

Giving back to the community she loves is a lifelong commitment for Jean, who turned 103 this year. For more than 50 years, Jean and her husband David provided generous support to foster education, serve children, support law enforcement, promote the arts and assist veterans in Broward. After David passed in 2011, Jean carried on their commitment to local philanthropy. Jean’s dedicated support through the years has fueled critical community services provided by United Way of Broward County and its Mission United program, Lighthouse of Broward, Hope South Florida, Kids in Distress and more.

SAMUEL F. MORRISON

Support for AARLCC

The African American Research Library and Cultural Center in Fort Lauderdale is a treasured community gathering place where education, the arts and history come together to foster understanding and forge new connections.

Since opening in 2002 on historic Sistrunk Boulevard, more than 895,000 visitors have experienced exhibits and cultural programs, participated in computer technology classes, heard speeches from authors and international leaders, attended community functions and much more. Visitors also have access to more than 85,000 books, artifacts, photos, recordings and other important materials that tell the story of the African American experience.

This invaluable community resource exists thanks to the vision and dedication of Samuel F. Morrison, the former director of Broward County’s libraries. Under Samuel’s guidance, the library system grew to 38 branches and received the prestigious “Library of the Year” award in 1996. One of his top achievements was leading the push for the AARLCC, along with the fundraising effort required to make it a reality.

Broward County provided $5 million along with land for what was expected to be a $14 million project. Samuel and his fundraising team found the rest by rallying support from local businesses, philanthropists as well as churches, civic organizations, Broward residents and others who believed in creating the library and cultural center. Just before retiring,

Samuel was there to celebrate the opening of this cultural attraction that adds so much to our diverse and vibrant community.

Through the years, Community Foundation support has helped bolster the mission of the AARLCC. Grants made possible by our fundholders have supported AARLCC literacy and arts programs. That includes a 2022 arts residency program for emerging artists, which led to an Art and Activism Festival showcasing artwork exploring themes such as discrimination based on race or sexual orientation.

Samuel continues to give back to the community he loves by partnering with the Community Foundation for his local philanthropy. In 2023, he created two charitable funds at the Community Foundation, the Samuel F. Morrison Community Impact Fund and the endowed Samuel F. Morrison Education Fund. Support from his funds helps further the AARLCC’s important mission. For years to come, Samuel’s team at the Community Foundation will find innovative, strategic opportunities for his endowed support to transform lives and shape a brighter future.

The impact of Samuel’s philanthropy – like the library and cultural center he helped launch – will carry on for generations.

WAYNE & LUCRETIA WEINER Support for the Arts

A new boost for the arts has launched plans for concerts, theatrical performances, exhibits, youth programs and much more, thanks to 27 special grants to support art and cultural organizations, made possible by Wayne and Lucretia Weiner’s Donor-Advised Fund at the Community Foundation.

In April 2025, Wayne and Lucretia partnered with the Community Foundation to launch the WLW Catalyst Grants. These new grants create transformative impact by enabling arts and cultural organizations to strengthen existing programs, implement bold new initiatives, increase reach and/or enhance organizational capabilities.

More than 100 local nonprofits submitted letters of intent to be considered for the WLW Catalyst Grants, which provide up to $200,000 over two years to each grant recipient. Last summer, with support from the Community Foundation, the WLW Catalyst Grants were awarded to 27 dynamic organizations that are using the support to elevate art and culture in Broward.

For example, Stranahan House will use the WLW Catalyst Grant to expand its reach online by creating a realistic Stranahan House within the Metaverse that enables more people to learn about and experience this historic attraction. The Slow Burn Theatre Company plans to use its grant to bolster costume and set production, launch a costume and prop rental service that generates income to support its mission and incorporate a training program focused on technical theatre and backstage trades that leads to new careers. MAD Arts will expand its hands-on art and technology training program for students and young adults in underserved communities, while also providing more support for emerging South Florida artists.

The 27 WLW Catalyst Grant recipients include: African American Research Library and Cultural Center, Art Prevails Project, Black Violin Foundation, BLINC, Brazilian Voices, Brévo Theatre, Broward Art Guild, Broward Performing Arts Foundation, Business for the Arts Broward, Developing Dreams Foundation, Exceptional Theater Company, Florida Atlantic University, History Fort Lauderdale, Gold Coast Jazz Society, Hued Songs, Las Olas Capital Arts, MAD Arts, Master Chorale of South Florida, Museum of Discovery and Science, New Canon Chamber Collective, New City Players, Ocean Rescue Alliance International, Pompano Beach Hive Theater, The Pride Center at Equality Park, Seraphic Fire, Slow Burn Theatre, and Stranahan House.

Fifteen of the organizations are receiving their first grants from Wayne and Lucretia’s Donor-Advised Fund at the Community Foundation.

We are grateful to the Community Foundation for introducing us to organizations unfamiliar to us. We were delighted to discover new opportunities to enliven our community and to enable more people to experience art and culture in Broward. We’re excited to see the transformative impact of the WLW Catalyst Grants in the coming years.”

- Wayne and Lucretia Weiner

Learn more about partnering with the Community Foundation.

Help for Healthier

Living

Barbara was struggling.

A rent increase forced Barbara and her young son out of their apartment. They became “hotel homeless” – stuck paying to live in extended stay hotels while trying to find a permanent home.

The uncertainty and disruption of not having a real “home” made it more challenging for Barbara to care for her son, who is neurodivergent and on the autism spectrum. Barbara’s parents had died and her husband was overseas, so her support system was gone.

Then Barbara lost her job. That put their temporary home at risk. Even worse, Barbara worried about putting food on the table.

Throughout these mounting challenges, Barbara asked for help. But navigating the network of local aid agencies was confusing and taking too long. She had a child to feed and needed a place they could call home.

Then Barbara found “Nina’s Place.”

Nina’s Place is a free community market and food pantry in Deerfield Beach. It’s one of the community-driven wellness initiatives coordinated by Deerfield Beach Community Cares, a nonprofit dedicated to creating “an oasis of health and hope.”

At Nina’s Place, Barbara picked from fresh produce, meat and other staples to help meet her grocery needs. And Barbara found more than food at Nina’s Place. She found caring people who asked how she was doing and checked on her when she stayed away. They did more than hand out food. They got to know Barbara and she got to know them. When the Deerfield Beach Community Cares team learned about Barbara’s housing challenges, they helped her family move into an affordable apartment.

Helping Barbara is one example of Deerfield Beach Community Cares’ holistic approach to uplifting the community it serves. Help for young mothers, youth mental health support and even community bike clubs are among the ways Deerfield Beach Community Cares promotes “wellness.”

“We exist and operate based on the principle of collective impact, responding to the needs of our residents and neighbors,” President & CEO Joel Smith said.

The Community Foundation of Broward is a partner with Deerfield Beach Community Cares in this work to connect people to opportunities to make their lives better. It’s an example of how, since 2020, we have invested more than $1.5 million in grantmaking support to foster four “Health and Resource Hubs” across Broward. The hubs offer different, community-based opportunities to help people tackle needs today and shape a brighter future.

“Access to healthy food, health care and other critical resources is essential to healthy and thriving communities,” said Sheri Brown Grosvenor, Community Foundation Vice President of Community Impact. “Thanks to support from Community Foundation fundholders, our Health and Resource Hubs are empowering more people to overcome obstacles to healthier living.”

How ‘Hubs’ Help

Lack of health care services and limited access to healthy food are common problems for neighborhoods already struggling with economic hardships, racial injustice and other barriers to success. As a result, life expectancy in Broward can differ, zip code to zip code.

That’s why support for “Healthy and Thriving Communities” is one of the Community Foundation’s grantmaking and leadership focus areas. We partner with philanthropists, frontline nonprofits, community leaders and residents to improve health equity and well-being in neighborhoods across Broward.

The four “Health & Resource Hubs” expand a culture of health and opportunity to more populations and communities in Broward. The “hubs” are Community Foundation-led collaborations with nonprofits, businesses, local governments, faith-based organizations and residents striving to overcome health inequities and make healthy living resources more readily available. We do it with grants supporting mobile food pantries, health screenings, increased access to mental health services, after-school programs, elder care, school supply giveaways and much more.

We started six years ago in South Broward, partnering with the nonprofit Urban Health Partnership to create solutions for accessing healthy food in Dania Beach, Hollywood, West Park, Miramar, Hallandale Beach and other nearby areas. That included bringing mobile food pantries to neighborhoods that lacked affordable places to buy healthy food, expanding community gardens and bolstering food pantry storage capacity. We also collaborated with Memorial Healthcare System to provide free breast cancer screenings and other health services through a “mobile primary care center,” able to drive into neighborhoods and provide curbside, life-saving care.

We expanded to Lauderhill, teaming up with the city to support its “health & prosperity hub.” That included support for the city’s community paramedics program, which aims to reduce emergency room visits by providing scheduled, in-home health care and help navigating the health care system for people with recurring non-emergency issues. The hub also championed the city’s entrepreneurship program to help grow small businesses and coordinated “Lauderhill Peace Week,” an anti-violence community outreach effort that included a resource fair, peace walk, summit and a service day.

The Pompano Beach hub started with targeted support for uplifting the students and community served by C. Robert Markham Elementary. Back-to-school kickoff celebrations included giving away backpacks, school supplies and hundreds of bags of groceries as well as providing bus registration, free health checkups and connections to community resources to help families throughout the year. In addition, new “Winterfest” celebrations during the holiday season featured more free health screenings, groceries and toy giveaways. Amid this increased community support, student performance improved, with Markham Elementary’s state rating improving from a “D” grade in 2023 to a “B” in 2024.

To expand on this success, we are partnering with other community leaders to encourage the state to designate Pompano Beach as a Florida Children’s Initiative community. Modeled after the acclaimed Harlem Children’s Zone, this public-private partnership would invest state and private dollars in innovative, community-based programs serving at-risk children and their families.

Championing ‘Wellness’

In the Deerfield Beach hub, the Community Foundation’s three-year grant for Deerfield Beach Community Cares launched the Deerfield Beach Youth Development and Leadership Academy. The academy’s programs foster resilience, confidence and purpose for children struggling at school, dealing with problems at home and facing other challenges. In the afternoons, kids can come to the academy to learn and have fun in a safe, nurturing environment. Tutoring helps students get back on track at school. Mentoring offers guidance for life beyond the classroom. Playing games and participating in the arts keeps kids active and engaged. Cooking sessions teach a valuable life skill, while sneaking in a science lesson about how eating vegetables fuels their bodies. They even practice “mindful yoga,” a social-emotional learning technique that helps them reduce stress and manage their emotions.

A subtle sign of the academy’s success recently revealed itself, way up in the nosebleed seats at the Miami Heat’s arena. The academy took a fun field trip to see the Heat play and midway through the game, one of the kids from Deerfield Beach said a bad word.

Foul language raining down from boisterous fans is nothing new, even when it comes from a child. But a surprising thing happened after the cussing. Unprompted, the Deerfield Beach kid turned to his chaperone and apologized. Among

its many lessons, the academy encourages kids to communicate without cussing, and this academy member knew he could do better.

“It’s about navigating the challenges, the traumas of life,” said Joel Smith, President & CEO of Deerfield Beach Community Cares. “We are building ways to have a better arc of wellness.”

With the Community Foundation grant to support the youth program, Deerfield Beach Community Cares has been able to focus more resources on bolstering other efforts to champion community “wellness.” More than 500 people in Deerfield Beach have received free health screenings and referrals to medical services. The hub is increasing residents’ access to mental health services. And Nina’s Place enables more than 800 families to make sure they have enough food on their tables.

Three years ago, Barbara was among the first to be helped by the free healthy food available at Nina’s Place. She’s still involved with Deerfield Beach Community Cares, but now Barbara is part of the team uplifting others. She helps lead distribution of diapers, hygiene products and baskets of household goods provided to families in need. Sharing her experiences is part of how she empowers others to live healthier lives.

“It’s my new purpose,” Barbara said. “I’ve gone through a lot and I’m now able to help my community and neighbors.”

x $1.5 million in Community Foundation support since 2020

South Broward: mobile food pantries, expanded community gardens and food pantry capacity, mobile cancer screenings

Lauderhill: collaboration with city for “peace week,” community resource fair, in-home health care outreach

Pompano Beach: free school supplies, groceries and health screenings for hundreds of Markham Elementary students and families, with plans to expand through “Florida Children’s Initiative”

Deerfield Beach: families receiving bi-weekly food distribution, kids and their families receiving mental health services and other health screenings and referrals

EMPOWERING OPPORTUNITIES

INTELLECTUAL & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES INITIATIVE

The Community Foundation of Broward and The Taft Foundation, along with other potential funders, are partnering to advance opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Broward County.

This exciting new partnership will launch a targeted grants initiative to strengthen coordinated supports that help youth and young adults with IDD transition successfully into adulthood.

This initiative will continue to be informed and guided by community insight, identified needs and ongoing engagement to ensure the work remains responsive, relevant and grounded in the experiences of those it is intended to support.

While the Community Foundation has supported organizations serving the IDD community in various ways for years, this initiative is the Community Foundation’s first formal grantmaking program dedicated specifically to advancing services, supports and opportunities for people with IDD and the first joint initiative with The Taft Foundation.

WHAT IS IDD?

Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) is an umbrella term used to describe a range of conditions that typically begin during childhood and can affect learning, behavior, communication and daily functioning.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 1 in 6 children in the United States has a developmental disability. IDD can include: Autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, specific learning disability, speech or language impairment, emotional or behavioral disability, traumatic brain injury, fragile X syndrome, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, developmental delays and more.

“We are honored to partner with The Taft Foundation and work alongside local providers, advocates, families and community leaders to strengthen the network of services and supports while identifying new pathways to education, employment, independence and community participation.”

– Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, Ph.D President/CEOCommunity Foundation of Broward

HOW THE COLLABORATION WORKS

The Taft Foundation is providing $200,000, which is being matched by the Community Foundation, creating a $400,000 grant pool to support nonprofit organizations delivering transition and navigation services for youth and young adults ages 12–24+.

We are advancing this work by:

• Expanding pathways to post-secondary education, including inclusive college and university programs, vocational and technical education, credentialing programs and other continuing learning opportunities.

• Increasing workforce readiness through career exploration, job readiness training, work-based learning experiences and meaningful employment opportunities.

• Strengthening navigation across systems, services and social supports to help individuals and families access resources and opportunities, including preventing service disruptions or benefit cliffs as youth age out of eligibility or experience changes in status.

• Supporting the development of independent living skills, self-advocacy and community participation.

Community listening sessions are underway to gauge needs and opportunities for support. Grant applications will be accepted from July 1 through Aug. 14. Nonprofits can visit the Community Foundation website, cfbroward.org, to apply online.

“Through this initiative, we are deepening our commitment to ensuring that young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are not only supported, but empowered to pursue meaningful lives.”

– Nina M. Bershadker, Executive Director of The Taft Foundation

Learn More about this grantmaking collaboration

GivingtheStudents World

What if a scholarship didn’t just pay for school, but also changed how students see the world?

Giving Students The World ‘BOLD

VOICES’ Podcast Episode with Nancy Lynn Brown

“The Venice Study Abroad Program was undeniably a unique and irreplaceable experience that I cherish deeply.”

- Alessio Macpherson Scholarship Recipient

“My time in Venice was like stepping into a fairy tale.”

- Juan Daniel Lasso, Scholarship Recipient

A new kind of scholarship enables Broward County college students to experience a world of new possibilities.

Florida Atlantic University student Juan Daniel Lasso had the chance to study architecture in Italy, thanks to support from the Nancy Lynn Brown Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation of Broward.

In addition to gaining valuable architectural insights as he worked toward his degree, Juan said studying in Venice, “allowed me to connect with its culture and people on a meaningful level.”

“What struck me the most during my time in Venice was the city’s resilience and unique beauty,” he said. “Even though its construction methods might seem odd, there’s an undeniable charm in the way Venice persists and thrives. This experience has shifted my perspective on architecture and life in general.”

Inspired by her love for travel, Nancy Lynn Brown wanted to empower students who couldn’t afford to study abroad to gain an education beyond the classroom. To make it happen, she partnered with the Community Foundation to offer study-abroad experiences for students with financial need.

Now, thanks to support from her endowed fund at the Community Foundation, students from Nova Southeastern University and Florida Atlantic University experience life-changing educational trips to Spain, Japan and Italy. Through the power of endowment, Nancy’s support will enable generations of students of limited means to see the world.

Here’s an excerpt from the Community Foundation’s “BOLD Voices” podcast, where Nancy discusses her collaboration with the Foundation and her passion for learning without borders.

Q: What inspired you to support scholarships that enable students who couldn’t afford to travel to study abroad?

A: After earning my undergraduate degree, when I came home, my parents decided it would be good before I got in the workforce to travel abroad. So, I went to Switzerland … and I lived with a Swiss family. … I took a French course at the University of New Chattel. … It was quite an experience.

Q: You went on to work as a paralegal and then a travel agent. Later in life, your trip to Switzerland inspired more travel. Tell us about some of those places.

A: I’ve been all over Europe. I’ve been to India twice. I’ve been to Antarctica, Australia, New Zealand. … Japan. … I couldn’t believe I was really there. I remember looking outside my hotel room window in Sydney, Australia, and I saw the opera house and bridge. Wow. Oh, it’s beautiful. … It’s a whole other world outside of the United States, and I think every young person in the U.S. should travel.

Q: How did you get to the point where your love for travel inspired you to create scholarships for students to experience travel as well?

A: I’ve been very fortunate over the years to be able to travel and to meet people from different cultures and to make friends with fellow travelers. My best friend is my fellow

traveler and it was such a pleasure to realize that I can give this opportunity to so many students. … It’s just a wonderful experience for them to go to another country, to be immersed in the culture, in the language. The courses (they take on their trips) are maybe two to three academic courses that count towards their college degree. … They get a chance to see the world. They get a chance to explore other arts, other cultures, other experiences.

Q: What was your experience like working with the Community Foundation team to create an endowment to support your study-abroad scholarships?

A: Thank goodness the Community Foundation is here. … (They) had a very interesting process that took me through my personal interests, which is how we came up with the idea to establish the fund to enable students to travel abroad. … They are very good listeners and truly are there to help. … They have been wonderful, wonderful people to work with. They guide me, they assist me, they answer any questions and they don’t push me into anything that I don’t want to do.

Q: How does it feel to help students experience these educational trips they otherwise may not have been able to afford?

A: It’s very touching to me to know that I made this possible. The students are very passionate about where they’ve been, about their experiences and they would never get to experience this journey if I didn’t help make it possible. … After they return and we have this meet and greet, I mean, I just see the passion in their voices in their presentation. I mean, what that meant to them and what a fabulous trip that they had. … I’m so glad I did. And I feel very fortunate that I’m able to give this to the students.

Hear

More of Broward’s ‘Bold Voices’

The Community Foundation’s “BOLD Voices” podcast explores big issues by showcasing people who partner with us to create bold, enduring impact in our community. Listen to our podcast to hear engaging conversations about the arts, health care, homelessness, innovative collaborations, the environment, animal rescue, the power of endowment and much more.

Building Nonprofit

Learn. Collaborate. Excel. These three words are the driving force behind the Broward Center for Nonprofit Excellence.

In 2022, the Community Foundation of Broward created the “Nonprofit Center” to be a go-to resource to help nonprofit professionals and volunteers get valuable training, access tools and forge partnerships to elevate the impact of their critical work in our community.

An early $5 million matching grant commitment from the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation jump-started fundraising and helped us launch operations. Less than three years later, the Community Foundation secured $5 million in additional support to create a $10 million endowment – ensuring permanent sustainable support that enables the Nonprofit Center to adapt and respond to the changing needs of Broward’s nonprofit community.

The Nonprofit Center is a natural extension of the Community Foundation’s more than 40-year commitment to helping sustain and strengthen the charitable missions of nonprofits that touch lives across Broward. Now, a new report details the impact of the first three years of the Nonprofit Center and explores the exciting course it is charting for the future.

Tracking Our Impact

Since its launch, the Nonprofit Center has served more than 7,000 people with in-person services such as training courses, workshops, one-on-one coaching, community convenings, offsite presentations and more.

In addition, more than 26,000 visitors to the Nonprofit Center website have benefited from web-based training as well as our online resource library, vendor directory, nonprofits directory, consultant directory and other easy-to-access tools.

Already, more than 1,100 nonprofits have benefited from the Nonprofit Center’s many resources.

The Nonprofit Center hosted 118 classes and learning opportunities during its first three years. Class surveys show that 96% of participants rated the value and applicability of their training as “high or extremely high.”

It’s real-world support for real-world nonprofit challenges. Practical, grounded and focused on what leaders are actually navigating day to day,” - Tiffani Dhooge, President/CEO, Children’s Harbor

Resilience

Charting a Brighter Future

To understand the deeper impact of who we were serving and how the Nonprofit Center’s programming was changing nonprofits, we contracted DataMax to complete a third-party impact assessment. We also enlisted Collectively to conduct stakeholder interviews and began a strategic planning process to direct the next phase of the Nonprofit Center.

The biggest takeaways show that Nonprofit Center initiatives strongly influence organizations’ performance, sustainability and community engagement. The report shows that Nonprofit Center participants are forming stronger partnerships. They say they have confidence in applying the skills learned through the Nonprofit Center and most are returning to tap into more Nonprofit Center resources.

The research data and stakeholder feedback helped identify six priority areas of training and support that will drive the programming and focus of the Nonprofit Center’s work. They include:

• Funding & Financial Sustainability

• Training & Capacity Building

• Leadership & Succession Planning

• Technology & AI Adoption

• Collaboration & Collective Action

• Building Community Trust

What I love most about the Nonprofit Center is that it

truly understands

the

nonprofit

world.

It’s not theoretical, it’s practical,

relevant and rooted in real-life challenges we face every day,”

- Pat Murphy, CEO, Ann Storck Center

More Outreach, Dynamic Training

The Nonprofit Center is using the report’s findings to create new training opportunities, such as peer learning cohorts focused on succession planning, board service, financial resilience and small nonprofit leadership.

The Nonprofit Center is expanding online training resources through its collaboration with MindEdge. We also launched the first professional development scholarships for nonprofit leaders, thanks to an endowed gift from the Leo Goodwin Foundation.

The Nonprofit Center’s new “Nonprofit Q&A Café” sessions are monthly virtual get-togethers that invite nonprofit leaders to discuss timely issues, ask questions, share ideas and get practical guidance from our staff.

Also, the Nonprofit Center’s new monthly e-newsletter keeps nonprofit leaders in the loop about training sessions, upcoming grants, online resources, nonprofit sector insights and much more. To sign up for the e-newsletter, email NonprofitCenter@cfbroward.org.

The Nonprofit Center has helped our team grow by strengthening our leadership skills, expanding our strategic thinking and equipping us with frameworks we use in planning, evaluation and community engagement,”

- Joe Cox, President and CEO, Museum

of Discovery and Science

STRONGER

New Fundholders &

We are proud to welcome 50 new Fundholders and Legacy Society members who have partnered with us this fiscal year to ensure ongoing support for their charitable passions.

By making a gift today, Fundholders launch charitable funds at the Community Foundation that fuel immediate support for causes and organizations that matter to them. Through pledged estate gifts, our Legacy Society members will create endowed funds that shape a brighter future.

Partnering with the Community Foundation makes you part of something special. You join a movement of individuals, families and organizations committed to the simple idea that we are stronger together. Instead of going it alone, you enlist our

TOGETHER

Legacy Society Members

team of experts to help make your philanthropy easier and more impactful. We safeguard your fund, help it grow through careful investment and find innovative grantmaking opportunities for you to make a lasting difference. Our ability to pool resources, forge collaborations and grow endowment amplifies your impact for generations.

Since our founding in 1984, we have grown to nearly 600 charitable funds that have granted more than $225 million to uplift our community. Our 190 Legacy Society members’ gift commitments total $490 million in future support for the community. Thank you to all of our Fundholders and Legacy Society members for partnering with us to “Lead with Love.”

Learn more about partnering with us.

New Charitable Funds

Anthony J. Karrat Endowment Fund For The Legal Aid Service of Broward County

Attorney Raleigh Richard and Annie Ruth Rawls & Family Community Impact Fund

Barbara T. Gray Charitable Fund

Bill Kent Family Foundation Fund

Boys and Girls Clubs of Broward County Endowment Fund

Broward Workshop Early Learning Fund

Canine Assisted Therapy Endowment Fund

Captain Jack Memorial Fund

Charmettes, Inc. Endowment Fund

Dr. Thom Jackson and Beverly Baker Jackson Family Foundation Fund

Dr. Thom Jackson and Beverly Baker Jackson Next Generation Legacy Fund

Edwin A. Huston Cultural Fund

FAU Promise Neighborhood Subaward Fund

New Legacy Society Members

Since July 1, 2025

Jane Brand-Eagon and Doug Eagon

Eric Gilbert

Dr. Thom Jackson and Beverly Baker Jackson

Juliette E. Lippman

Since July 1, 2025

Friends of Birch State Park, Inc. Endowment Fund

Gilda’s Club South Florida Endowment Fund

James A. Shermer Fund

Jane Nicholas Huston Fund

Jim Moran Foundation Endowment Partners Matching Fund

John and Susan Feinberg Family Fund

John Knox Village Foundation Endowment Fund

Kenneth M. Kappner Charitable Fund

Leadership Broward Foundation Endowment Fund

Master Chorale of South Florida Endowment Fund

Medalie Family Fund

Michael Guttman Fund

Morningday Community Solutions Endowment Fund

Richard A. Berkowitz Philanthropic Fund

Danny Selvin

Drazia Simon

Andrew Wurtele

Robin and Michael Robins Fund

Royal Dames of Cancer Research Endowment Fund

Showering Love Endowment Fund

Take Stock in Children Endowment Fund

The Arc Broward Endowment Fund

The Bob Taylor Senior Fund

The Fetz Fund

The Heart Gallery Legacy Fund

The Levi Henry, Jr. Community Impact Fund

The Philip and Beth Rielly Charitable Fund

The Pugliese Family Fund

The Sandy Grossman Philanthropic Fund

The Taft Foundation Fund

Youth Environmental Alliance Endowment Fund

Anonymous (2)

Honoring ‘Community

“Community Builders” are Fundholders who take their philanthropy to the next level by partnering with us to create endowed charitable funds of $1 million or more.

Our 70 Community Builders include dedicated individuals, families and community organizations using the power of endowment to transform our community, fuel innovation and create impact that lasts forever.

In November, we celebrated six new Community Builders at our “Enchantment Under the Sea” celebration at Pier Sixty-Six. The honorees included:

• Dev Motwani • Gary Wendt

• Alice and Mike Jackson

• Robert Taylor and Robin Taylor Fleming

• June Wise • Little Owl Fund (created anonymously)

Thank you to all of our Community Builders!

Thank you to our event sponsors!

Cathy and James Donnelly Family Fund Presenting Sponsor

Northern Trust, Dinner Sponsor

Holy Cross Health, Supporting Sponsor

Memorial Healthcare System, Supporting Sponsor

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Supporting Sponsor

1 | President/CEO Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson (in green) with event honorees.

2 | Colin Brown, Community Builder; Steve Halmos, Community Builder; Matthew Kahn

3 | Community Builder and former Board Chair Mona Pittenger

4 | Community Builder and former Board Chair James Donnelly

5 | Patricia Shub and Karen Koach

6 | Joseph Cox, President/CEO of the Museum of Discovery and Science, a Nonprofit Community Builder; Ed Hashek; John Jors

7 | Board Chair Jonathan Allen, Kennie Hobbs, Eric Haynes

8 | Patty Holly Zimmerman; Steve Hudson, Community Builder & former Board Chair; Jeanne Hudson, Community Builder

9 | Troy Anderson & The Wonderful World Band

10 | Event attendees

Builders’

News & Notes

ACHIEVING TOP RATINGS

The Community Foundation elevated our commitment to excellence and trustworthiness by achieving top ratings this year from both Charity Navigator and Candid.

Charity Navigator provides data, ratings and guidance that help donors make informed choices “that turn intent into action.” Charity Navigator’s top-level, Four-Star rating designates the Community Foundation as an official “Give with Confidence” charity, indicating that our organization uses its donations effectively based on Charity Navigator’s comprehensive criteria that go beyond financials to reflect the work charities do.

In addition, the Community Foundation maintained our Platinum Seal of Transparency rating from Candid, which provides social sector data, tools and other resources for nonprofits nationwide. Donors and other funders use Candid to verify and research nonprofits that are aligned with their priorities. In 2025, we started requiring that nonprofits achieve a Gold Seal of Transparency from Candid to be eligible to receive Community Foundation grants.

The Community Foundation’s top-level ratings from Candid and Charity Navigator are examples of how we have long prioritized setting high standards and incorporating best practices to show we are an impactful, trustworthy champion for local philanthropy. 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.

TAX & ESTATE LAW INSIGHTS

Community Foundation Professional Advisors Council members and their guests joined us on Feb. 3 for the ever-popular “Best of Heckerling” update about new developments in tax and estate laws. Our expert panel shared takeaways from this year’s Heckerling Institute – a top educational conference for attorneys, accountants and financial advisors. Continuing education sessions and networking opportunities are among the benefits of membership to our Professional Advisors Council (PAC), which includes attorneys, CPAs and financial planners who help clients achieve their charitable goals by collaborating with the Community Foundation to create charitable funds that fuel their philanthropy.

‘BRAIN, BODY & BEYOND’

2026 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A dynamic leadership team is guiding our Board of Directors in 2026. This year’s Board officers include: (left top) Jonathan Allen, Board Chair; Burnadette Norris-Weeks, Vice Chair; (left middle) Eric Vainder, Secretary; Bertha Henry, Treasurer; (left bottom) Ramona Lacy Fowler, At-Large; and Trevor Fried, At-Large. New Board members include: (bottom row) Anita Byer, Monifa Hall, Cindy Mason and Andrew Wurtele. Returning Board members include: Holly Hudson Bodenweber, Ted Christie, Marianela “Nela” Collado, Aurelio Fernandez, Alice Lucia Jackson, Ken Kappner, Greg Medalie, Pam E. Booker Pettis, Mona Pittenger, Brian Poulin and John Templeton.Thank you to all of our Board members for your dedication to guiding the Community Foundation’s grantmaking and local leadership.

As part of our focus on championing Healthy & Thriving Communities, we provided support for an opportunity for residents to learn about making their brains and bodies more resilient. The Florida Atlantic University Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute presented this exciting “Brain, Body and Beyond” program at the Museum of Discovery & Science on March 12. The event featured experts in identifying and implanting resiliency factors to maintain brain wellness to prevent and treat disorders ranging from addiction to Alzheimer’s disease. We collaborated with the Palm Health Foundation and the FAU Colleges of Medicine and Nursing to provide this engaging evening of discovery, which was made possible with support from the Sharron and Joseph Asby Hubert Fund at the Community Foundation.

BLACK PHILANTHROPY CELEBRATION

On March 18, we hosted a special Community Foundation reception celebrating the impact of Black philanthropy in our community. This get-together was a wonderful opportunity to foster meaningful connections and deepen engagement with a growing network of local philanthropists who share a commitment to shaping a brighter future for Broward. “Cherish Diversity” is one of the five values that guide the Foundation’s leadership initiatives and community grantmaking. Since 2022, we have increased outreach efforts to engage and partner with more Black philanthropists who are creating lasting impact in our community. These new collaborations have resulted in a 71 percent increase in charitable funds established by Black philanthropists at the Community Foundation.

CHILDREN’S HARBOR ‘LUNCH & LEARN’

In February, we hosted a “Lunch & Learn” with representatives from Children’s Harbor, who shared how their transformative Academic and Life Skills Program empowers foster youth to rebuild confidence, catch up on education and thrive. A “Lunch & Learn” is an example of opportunities we provide for fundholders, Legacy Society members and other Community Foundation supporters to learn more about important local issues and opportunities for philanthropy to make a lasting difference. Children’s Harbor is one of our Nonprofit Endowment Partners with a charitable fund at the Community Foundation. Their endowed fund fuels their mission to keep kids safe, help families heal and provide support for brighter futures.

News & Notes

SUPPORT FOR CANCER SCREENINGS

The Community Foundation’s $200,000 in new “Cancer Screening and Care Grants” are raising awareness about lifesaving services and making them more readily available to Broward residents in need. We provided grants of up to $25,000 each to nine local nonprofits to increase cancer screenings and improve access to patient care, particularly for residents with limited resources. In addition, we produced the “Stories of Strength” video series, which features powerful, firsthand accounts of how cancer screenings save lives. Each video shares a unique cancer journey and shines a light on the lifesaving impact of early detection through cancer screenings.

EXPLORING ‘MAD ARTS’

Our “Food for Thought” field trip in January provided fundholders, Legacy Society members and other supporters an immersive, inspiring experience at the MAD Arts museum. Attendees learned about how the Community Foundation champions expanding access to the arts and how local philanthropy is bringing more public art projects to Dania Beach. They also enjoyed getting a firsthand look at MAD Arts’ impressive works of art & light, interactive experiences, outdoor sculptures, experimental labs and so much more. Food for Thoughts are exclusive opportunities to learn more about important local issues, see examples of the Community Foundation’s impact and connect with other philanthropists.

STUDENT CHEF OF THE YEAR

Congratulations to Zhyon Thomas, Arc Culinary’s 2025 Mary N. Porter Student Chef of the Year! Arc Culinary, in Sunrise, helps people with developmental disabilities and other life challenges learn new skills to work at restaurants, food trucks, catering services and other employment opportunities. The Student Chef of the Year award is named for philanthropist Mary Porter, whose endowed charitable fund at the Community Foundation of Broward provided a key grant to help build Arc Culinary’s professional teaching kitchen. Mary’s estate gift to the Community Foundation in 2012 created several endowed charitable funds, including the Mary N. Porter Legacy Fund, which established a dedicated source of support for construction, renovations and other major capital projects that make life better for Broward residents.

FLAMINGO GARDENS FESTIVITIES

In December, we enjoyed a fun holiday gathering at Flamingo Gardens, where fundholders, Board members and more of our philanthropy family joined the Community Foundation team to see the stunning “Hoffman’s Chocolates’ Winter Wonderland” holiday lights display. In addition to seeing the beautiful lights display, attendees got to stroll the lush gardens, see the animals and experience new, immersive outdoor exhibits – created with support from the Community Foundation – that raise awareness about the importance of protecting local natural areas. The Community Foundation is a longtime partner of this Broward treasure, where support from our fundholders has improved animal habitats, expanded the gardens and led to the creation of the Mary N. Porter Learning Center.

SUPPORT FOR EMERGENCY FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS

During the federal government shutdown last fall – with federal SNAP food aid disrupted for thousands of Broward residents as well as local federal workers going weeks without paychecks – food pantries and other front-line nonprofits stepped up to meet a growing demand for the lifelines they provide. The Community Foundation was part of a team of philanthropic and civic organizations that Broward Commissioner Nan Rich brought together to launch a countywide effort to expand food distribution and support Broward families facing hunger. This dynamic community collaboration raised $1.5 million to increase the amount of food available for distribution through local food banks and pantries serving our county’s most food-insecure families. We extend a special thank you to Fundholder Marsha Levy for her lead gift of $25,000 to jump-start the Community Foundation’s contribution to this emergency effort.

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK UPDATE

On Feb. 20, we teamed up with Northern Trust to provide Community Foundation fundholders, Board members and our Professional Advisors Council an engaging conversation about 2026’s economic outlook. Ryan Boyle, Chief U.S. Economist at Northern Trust, shared his insights on the economic trends shaping global markets in 2026 and beyond. Todd Masnicki, Senior Portfolio Advisor for Northern Trust and a member of the Professional Advisors Council, moderated this timely discussion about financial factors to consider while charting a course for the future.

PAC MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Kaley Barbera Willert

The Professional Advisors Council (PAC) includes attorneys, CPAs, financial planners and other trusted advisors who help charitably minded clients create legacies of enduring impact by collaborating with the Community Foundation of Broward.

This PAC Member Spotlight features Kaley Barbera Willert, J.D., LL.M., a Senior Vice President at Northern Trust who also is an adjunct professor at the University of Miami School of Law.

What inspired you to enter your field?

My desire to educate and help families plan for the future in a low stress environment. There is so much strife that we are faced with within our lives, and in the news, on a daily basis, so being able to focus some of life’s stress on making good in our society, in our community and in our world is so very important. If I can be a sounding board for my clients to help make them feel at ease with their planning and educate and foster this growth in making good in our community, then I have done my job. There is nothing that makes me happier than knowing the families I work with feel safe and know their family and loved ones will be cared for when they are gone or incapacitated.

What areas of planning do you focus on?

Estate planning, fiduciary administration, estate tax mitigation

What do you enjoy most about helping clients with long-term or legacy planning?

I love the conversation with my clients. I truly enjoy entering their world and learning about their family, their children, their friends. I become part of their life and a trusted team member, not to mention the fun stories I get to hear from them along the way. Earning their trust is such an honor.

Why is philanthropy important in a strong estate or financial plan?

No matter how great your planning is, it can always improve by adding in philanthropic goals. Not only can philanthropy help impact the causes that are near and dear to your heart, but it can also help mitigate taxes (both estate and income taxes). In the income tax planning environment we now live in, this is increasingly more important to be aware of.

What drew you to engage with the Community Foundation?

My connection with Broward County, my relationships with advisors in the community and my firsthand experience watching my clients smile to see the impact that they have made. There is no one who does it better than the Community Foundation of Broward.

How has partnering with the Community Foundation benefited your clients?

The Community Foundation of Broward has always made every client and fundholder feel so very special. Each interaction that I have had with my clients and the Community Foundation has proved to be one of the most successful and exciting planning meetings. The clients walk away feeling more in tune with their goals and knowledgeable about the strength of their future impact. They get to have a sense of their legacy and that is priceless.

What advice would you offer advisors looking to include charitable planning in their practice?

I would tell the future advisors in our field to always find a way to discuss charitable planning and philanthropic goals. Even if this is not at the forefront of a client’s plan, it is something that can serve as a discussion point to more deeply understand what a client likes to support and what they care about.

See the rest of Kaley’s Q&A and learn more about PAC.