VOL. 28 NO. 5
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MAY 2026
Sweet Success: Charlie And The Chocolate FactoryThemed Gala Raises Funds For Martin County Education Hundreds of people who support local schools, students and teachers went on a fantastical tour of their own at the Education Foundation of Martin County’s Evening of Excellence – Bids for Kids gala. Presented by Morganti, the event featured Charlie Bucket and Willy Wonka’s magical chocolate factory. This elegant fundraiser, held at Harbour Ridge Country Club in Palm City, attracted a sell-out crowd and raised $200,000. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see so many people come together to support our students and teachers,” said Lisa Rhodes, executive director of the Education Foundation of Martin County. “Nights like this remind us that when Sweet Success on page 5
Madison Adams, John Murphy, Corinne Murphy, Taylor Adams
Brittany and Joel Spiece, Jessica Sines, Stephen Sines, Tara and Brent Martin, Kalie Jones and J.D. Lewis, IV
Habitat For Humanity Of Greater Palm Beach County Announces Dream Builders’ Ball Celebrating 40 Years Of Impact Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County is proud to announce the Dream Builders’ Ball, a spectacular evening of timeless elegance and purpose celebrating the partners, donors, and volunteers, who have shaped their mission and made safe, affordable homeownership possible for thousands across the community. This is a one-night only, milestone celebration marking four decades of building homes, hope, and the foundation for dreams. Taking place on Friday, October 9, 2026, from 6 to 11 p.m. at The Breakers Left to right, Peter Robbins and Emily Pantelides, David Tompkins and Sharon Palm Beach, this black-tie gala, will Tompkins, Tracy Caruso and Mike Caruso, Cara DeBock and Michael DeBock
bring together community leaders, philanthropists, and dedicated supporters to celebrate the organization’s legacy and look ahead to an inspiring future. “Over the past 40 years, our community has come together to build more than just homes, we’ve built the foundation for dreams,” said Jennifer Thomason, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County. “The Dream Builders’ Ball is a tribute to everyone who has been part of this journey and a call to continue this vital work for generations to come.” Marking its 40th anniversary, the Dream Builders’ Ball, presented by Top of Mind Foundation, will honor the Habitat partners, donors, volunteers, and families whose unwavering commitment has made it possible for Habitat For Humanity on page 4
Impact100 Martin Awards Five $100,000 Impact Grants To Local Nonprofits For 2026 With the combined strength of a record-breaking 572 members, Impact100 Martin awarded five $100,000 grants to local nonprofits at its Grant Awards Celebration on April 16. Presentation of the grant finalists, carefully vetted in advance by the organization’s Grants Committee, took place during the celebration at Temple Beit HaYam. Members voted for the five grant proposals that they believed would do the most to create transformative change in the community.
The projects receiving $100,000 Impact Grants for 2026 are: Martin County CareBag, CareBag Mobile Shower Unit Hope Center for Autism, Hope in Motion Kiwanis Club of Stuart, Kiwanis Park at Woodlawn: “Music in the Park” and ADA Swing Project Humane Society of the Treasure Coast, Purchase of New Digital Ray Machine for Veterinary Clinic Environmental Studies Council, River Scout II: A New Voyage Tw o o t h e r f i n a l i s t s , Education Foundation of Martin County’s NextGen Ve t e r i n a r y C l i n i c a l Simulcation and Skills Lab Project and Hobe Sound Nature Center ’s Wildlab on Wheels were named Merit Recipients, and each received $36,000.
The Impact100 model of collective giving is simple: members contribute $1,000 a year to be pooled together into a grant-making fund. For every 100 members, Impact100 Martin awards one $100,000 grant. In applying for the grants, local nonprofits are encouraged to “dream big” and present projects that will have a lasting impact in Martin County. After a rigorous vetting process, members review all of the supplemental material from each finalist, hear their presentations, and then vote on which projects to fund at the organization’s annual Grant Awards Celebration in the spring. Grants are awarded within Impact100 Martin’s five focus areas: arts and culture; education; family; health and wellness; and environment, preservation and recreation. Founded in 2017 by a group of local women passionate about making substantive change through philanthropy, the Impact100 on page 5