Our Fund Foundation and presenting sponsor Bank of America Private Bank announced that the third annual South Florida LGBTQ Philanthropy Awards will be held at the Broward
Performing Arts Center’s Mary Porter Riverview Ballroom on Saturday, February 26, 2022 from 5:30-7:30PM.
The cocktail reception and awards ceremony will celebrate individuals and families whose generous donations of time, talent, and resources have had a significant positive impact on South Florida’s LGBTQ community.
This year’s class of awardees include:
Raising the Bar Award: Jayne Baron Sherman
Jayne Baron Sherman will receive the “Philanthropist of the Year” award for her generosity to numerous cultural, arts, and LGBTQ advocacy agencies, which she thoughtfully increased during the pandemic, when non-profit organizations felt particularly vulnerable to budget shortfalls. Jayne’s philanthropic impact in South Florida and nationally has helped to sustain arts and cultural institutions beloved by the LGBTQ community. Jayne and her wife Deby Zum were initial investors in Our Fund’s success as First 100 Funders and remain generous annual supporters.
Commitment to a Cause Award: Doug Ames
Many South Florida LGBTQ agencies have been beneficiaries of Doug Ames’ volunteerism. In fact, his name is synonymous with LGBTQ benefits and galas. Doug and the teams he assembles typically are the first faces seen at check-in for most large LGBTQ events in the region and work tirelessly to gather and relay information to volunteers, ensuring all events run smoothly.
Next Generation of Philanthropy Award: Jonathan Freidin
Jonathan Freidin was nominated for this award by SAVE, South Florida’s oldest advocacy organization for the rights of LGBTQ people, where he has served since 2020 as Chairman of the Board of Directors and as a member of the board since 2018. He also serves on SAVE’s Endorsement Committee, which interviews and endorses political and judicial candidates running for office in South Florida. Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber recently appointed Jonathan Vice Chair of the Art Deco Cultural District Panel, with the goal of making Miami Beach safer and more enjoyable for residents and visitors.
The evening will also recognize the anniversary of Our Fund Foundation’s founding in 2010 by a small group of committed philanthropic activists in response to the then low ratio of giving directed to LGBTQ organizations in the region and across the country. Conceptualized by Chuck Loring, Dick Schwarz, Coleman Prewitt, and Mark Ketchum, who laid the original groundwork, and complemented by Tony Timiraos, Our Fund’s founding president and CEO, the organization has blossomed into the third largest LGBTQ community foundation in the country with $26 million in assets and annual grants of $2 million distributed to LGBTQ-serving non-profits in South Florida.
Tickets are $75. For information visit Our-Fund.org, email ocaballero@our-fund.org, or call (954) 565-1090.
Content Courtesy of Our Fund Foundation
