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The Our Fund Foundation Philanthropy Awards
The Our Fund Foundation hosted the Fourth Annual South Florida LGBTQ Philanthropy Awards Presented by Bank of America Private Bank to a sold-out audience on Saturday, February 18, 2023.
The nonprofit’s annual awards reception celebrated outstanding philanthropists who generously give of their time, talent and treasure to the South Florida LGBTQ community. Honorees and guests enjoyed a cocktail reception at the Broward Performing Arts Center’s lower courtyard prior to the ceremony held in the Mary Porter Riverview Ballroom.
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“In just four short years, the South Florida LGBTQ Philanthropy Awards has become our signature event,” said David Jobin, president and CEO, Our Fund Foundation. “It’s a joy to recognize these inspirational leaders in philanthropy and a privilege to have Bank of America Private Bank’s generous support since its inception.”
This year’s class of South Florida LGBTQ Philanthropy awardees included:
Philanthropists of the Year: Didier Moritz and Erwin Mayer
Designating the Philanthropist of the Year, this year’s recipient is a couple, Erwin Mayer & Didier Mortiz. Erwin and Didier have long championed a number of philanthropic causes, particularly focused in the LGBTQ community and animal rights, and are proud supporters of The Our Fund Foundation initiatives. Their generosity has made many projects and initiatives possible throughout South Florida.
Commitment to a Cause: Nik Harris
Nik Harris (she/they), is a queer gender non-conforming attorney, activist, and speaker. Nik is the Director of Strategic Outreach and Engagement for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), They were the first Black woman elected as Vice-Chair of the HRC Board of Governors, serves on the boards of Ruth’s List, TransInclusive Group, the Broward County Sheriff’s Social Justice Task Force, the Broward State Attorney’s Advisory Council and is a BIG in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Pride Program. They founded “Thou Art Woman”, a signature open mic event, with their friend and fellow attorney G Wright Muir. The event series celebrates LGBTQ women and their allies through performance and visual art.
Next Generation of Philanthropy Award: Jeff Oliverio
Jeff Oliverio is a Financial Advisor with Truist Wealth. He previously served for 7 years as the President for PFLAG Broward. In 2019, Jeff joined several friends and neighbors in Hollywood as a Founder for the Hollywood LGBTQ+ Council to create a community advocacy organization that focused on Life, Government and Business in Greater Hollywood. He has also been a longterm volunteer with the National LGBTQ Task Force and in 2020, in the face of the pandemic, Jeff joined the Task Force Gala as Fundraising Chair and then Vice-Chair in 2021. In 2022, Jeff was the Chair for the Gala and was part of an incredible team that raised over $900k and set a record for the event. Jeff also serves at the South Florida PRIDE Business Resource Group Chair for Truist.
Dick Schwarz Award for Lifetime Achievement in Philanthropy: Chuck Nicholls
Chuck Nicholls started his career in Washington DC as an economist, statistician, and epidemiologist. He started volunteering with HIV/AIDS organizations, and upon moving to Ft. Lauderdale with his partner Mark Turner, became a Board Member and then President of Tuesday’s Angels, an organization that provided critical life-saving support for people living with HIV/AIDS in South Florida. He also founded the Equality Garden Club and continues devoting time and resources to developing the Garden Plaza at the Pride Center.
Established in 2011, The 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.
