By Jessica Graves
Fort Lauderdale is often considered the epicenter of South Florida’s art coast, strategically located between Palm Beach and Miami Beach. Thanks to Funding Arts Broward (FAB), it will continue to reign as the crown jewel of Broward County for generations to come.
The non-profit, volunteer organization has supported, sustained, and enriched the arts for the past 20 years, donating over $4.5 million dollars to 65 diverse and multicultural arts foundations including small, mid-sized, and large professional performing and visual arts organizations. FAB has long been supported by members whose dues go towards grants that preserve and cultivate the arts in Broward County.
To commemorate 20 years of giving, FAB launched its ‘Be the Spark’ initiative in October of 2022 with a goal of raising $3 million in the next five years. The campaign kicked off with a generous lead gift of $750,000 from a local philanthropic couple, Francie Bishop Good and her husband David Horvitz.
“‘Be the Spark’ can do so much for the community,” explains FAB Founder Bishop Good. “David and I are very pleased to be the lead gift for this campaign, it’ll take us to the next level.” Since the launch of the campaign, through FAB members, FAB supporters, and private foundation support, ‘Be the Spark’ has amassed over $1.8 million toward the $3 million goal. Proceeds from the ‘Be the Spark’ campaign have already significantly increased FAB’s grant making pool through expanding grants for performance and art education, seeding a new grant category, and establishing an endowment at the Community Foundation of Broward.
This year alone, the foundation has awarded 36 grants in the amount of $314,450 for 2024 for performances and programs to nonprofit organizations. FAB has also awarded an additional $71,000 in Education Grants to 10 organizations to foster art appreciation and skill acquisition for grades K-12.
“When you think about the arts sector, it’s an ecosystem,” explains Phillip Dunlap, Director of Broward County’s Cultural Division. “Just like there’s an ecosystem around the artists and arts organizations that exist here, there’s an ecosystem in the funding sector as well and FAB fills a very specific niche and a very specific need within that funding structure.”
By off-setting the lack of government funding for the arts, these grants go a long way toward ushering in full-house and in-person performing and visual arts productions, exhibits, and presentations and encourage collaboration and new works between art groups.
“We are thrilled with the incredible support we’ve received over the years to cultivate the arts in Broward County,” says Ed Haskek, immediate past president of FAB. “However, this year is truly a stellar example of how our community and corporate supporters have united to make a difference.”
Each of FAB’s grantees were awarded for a unique upcoming program including ArtsUnited’s “Celebrating Diversity” featuring three concerts highlighting artists from the LGBTQ+ community.
For a full list of this year’s grant nominees or to learn more about FAB including how to become a member or support the arts, visit please visit fundingartsbroward.org
