The Community Foundation of Broward’s 2024 Community Builder Celebration on November 7, 2024 honored three new Community Builders – visionary philanthropists who partnered with the Foundation to create endowed charitable funds of $1 million or more to shape a brighter future for Broward. This year’s celebration also commemorated the Community Foundation’s 40th anniversary, highlighting the critical role Community Builders have played during the Foundation’s four decades of championing local philanthropy.
South Florida’s top community leaders, philanthropists and influencers were among the guests in attendance who embarked on a thrilling, exotic adventure to “take a walk on the wild side” at the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale. Attendees immersed themselves in the untamed beauty of the Broward jungle, enjoyed electrifying entertainment and savored a beautiful, seated dinner.
Lesley Mitchell Jones, Burnadette Norris-Weeks and Aaron Weeks and the late Dixie E. Wheeler are now among the 60 Community Builders who have partnered with the Community Foundation to transform and invigorate the community they love with endowed giving that ensures their impact never ends. Since the Foundation’s founding in 1984, Community Builder gifts have invested more than $150 million into support for student achievement, the arts, career readiness, seniors in need, equity and social justice, environmental resilience, health care, affordable housing, empowering nonprofits, mental health and much more.
These dedicated individuals, families and community organizations fuel innovation and tackle Broward’s biggest challenges with grants – in their name or anonymously – from their endowed funds. By working with the Foundation for their philanthropy, Community Builders amplify their impact today and create a legacy of community support that never ends. The principal of their endowment is invested and grows over time, providing a continuous and permanent source of support to tackle the community’s most pressing issues.
“We are proud to celebrate the Community Foundation of Broward’s 40th anniversary and honor three new incredible community builders who are dedicated to making life better in Broward,” said President and CEO Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, Ph.D. “By partnering with us, these visionary philanthropists ensure their support for the community is everlasting and their legacy lives on forever, setting an example for those who will follow in their footsteps.”
The Community Builder Celebration also recognized the winning nonprofits of the Foundation’s special “40 for 40: Spread the Love Grants” – $400,000 total to help 40 nonprofits make a BOLD impact for Broward. The new grants – $10,000 each – support 40 innovative, impactful opportunities for nonprofits to help the community by investing in projects and initiatives that make life better in Broward..
Also, during the event, celebrity artist Cey Adams unveiled a unique piece of artwork he created for The Foundation’s “Lead with Love” campaign. The new artwork commemorates the Community Foundation’s 40 years of impact in Broward and will be displayed at the Foundation. Adams is the creative powerhouse behind the “Lead with Love” mural project, a transformative public art initiative designed to spread a message of love and unity across Broward County.
Content Courtesy of Abbie Lipton, Durée & Company, Inc.
