National Philanthropy Day
Celebrating 25 Years of Giving
The Miami Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, joined by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Dade Community Foundation and the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning, will host its annual luncheon on November 17 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Miami. The event will honor Dolores and Sanford Ziff, Trish and Dan Bell, Comcast, Julie Grimes, and HospiceCare of Southeast Florida.
Miami’s Philanthropy Day luncheon began 25 years ago and has become a prototype for philanthropy day events that take place in more than 150 cities around the world. This year’s luncheon, chaired by Cindy Beamish of University of Miami Planned Giving and Cindy Eisaman, VP of Development for the Zoological Society of Florida, also celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).
The event will bring together philanthropists, community leaders, volunteers and not-for-profit professionals to celebrate the selfless acts of generosity and kindness that make our community a better place to live. It also gives special recognition and awards to five people and companies that are outstanding in their service, leadership and commitment to giving and helping the less fortunate.
This year’s honorees:
AFP’s Lifetime Achivement Award – Sanford and Dolores Ziff
For more than 50 years, Sanford Ziff has served the Miami Community, embracing the homeless, education, the arts and religious projects with results that signify a soaring spirit of excellence. Scientist, entrepreneur, humanitarian, philanthropist, Ziff is a man of action. He and his wife and partner, Dolores, are strongly dedicated to every aspect of the community and tirelessly seek worthy and needy causes and take a hands-on approach to their involvement. It is hard for this charismatic couple to say “no” to any worthy cause. Among their many acts of generosity, when the Greater Miami Performing Arts Center (now the Adrienne Arsht Center) was being built, the couple donated a major gift of $10 million. To honor them for this unprecedented gift, the largest hall was named the Sanford and Dolores Ziff Ballet Opera House. Most recently the Ziffs were honored with the naming of the Sanford and Dolores Ziff Classical Music Series at the Arsht Center.
Outstanding Philanthropists – Trish and Dan Bell
This award is presented to an individual or family with a proven record of exceptional generosity, whose direct financial support has demonstrated civic and charitable responsibility, and whose generosity encourages others to take philanthropic leadership roles on a community, national and international level. For more than 30 years, this dynamic couple has been deeply engaged in supporting the Miami-Dade community with their volunteerism, leadership and philanthropy. They focus on supporting members of the community who otherwise lack the opportunities or resources to help themselves. The Bell’s generosity spans all areas of community life and includes principally the Methodist Church, the Miami Science Museum, Community Partnership for Homeless, South Florida Urban Ministries, American Red Cross, Florida United Methodist Children’s Home, Camillus House, Jackson Hospital Foundation, Baptist Hospital Foundation, CHARLEE House, Lighthouse for the Blind, Informed Families, the Kristi House, Ronald McDonald House, American Cancer Society, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, The Villagers, Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, and the Miami City Ballet. As a result of the impact they have made in the community, they were the recipients of the 2009 Alvah H. Chapman, Jr. “Humanitarian Award.”
Julia Tuttle Award Corporate Citizenship – Comcast
A corporation eligible for this award must operate its business in Miami-Dade County and must be involved in the community by underwriting special programs and events, donating cash contributions and encouraging its staff give their time to these projects. Founded in 1963 Comcast is the country’s largest provider of cable services and one of the world’s leading communications companies. Most impressive is that Comcast is constantly supporting local programs and events throughout the South Florida community with both in-kind gifts and committed staff time. Since 2005 Comcast has been assisting the Zoological Society of Florida by promoting fundraisers and special events. Its largest annual fundraiser, Feast with the Beasts, attracts more than 1,200 guests and would not be such a success with the help of Comcast, who serves as the official communications partner.
James W. McLamore Outstanding Volunteer – Julie Grimes
The person eligible for this nomination must be a member of the local community and demonstrates exceptional leadership skills in coordinating groups of volunteers in major fund raising projects with a commitment to the advancement of philanthropy. Julie Grimes, Managing Partner, Hilton Bentley Hotel, embodies the idea that one person really can make a profound difference to a community and the world. In January 2008 through Julie’s efforts in collaboration with City of Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones and the Overtown Community Redevelopment Authority, the Hospitality Institute was launched. This facility has had a direct positive impact on the lives of hundreds of the area’s inner-city residents, while at the same time, provides an effective recruiting tool for the region’s hotels, restaurants and other businesses.
Outstanding Grant Maker Award – The Moyer Foundation
This award is presented to a grant making organization that has made a significant impact with its grant funding in support of nonprofit organizations in Miami-Dade. The Moyer Foundation has awarded HospiceCare of Southeast Florida Inc. with funding to facilitate Camp Erin, a complimentary weekend bereavement camp for children, aged six to 17, who have suffered from the loss of a loved one. In addition to funding, the Foundation mentored Camp Erin staff, advising them by weekly phone conferences to ensure the successful implementation of the camp. Whenever Camp Erin needed assistance they were there to provide helpful suggestions. Due to their support in 2010, Camp Erin served 61 campers with the support of 108 volunteers and has become an integral part of HospiceCare’s bereavement programming.
To learn about sponsorship opportunities for National Philanthropy Day and information or prices of tickets and tables, please visit www.afpmiami.org or call 305-284-2914.
