National Philanthropy Day
The Association of Fundraising Professionals, Miami-Dade Chapter, will host the 2013 National Philanthropy Day, presented by TIAA-CREF and honoring Miami philanthropists. Initiated in 1985 by the Miami-Dade Chapter, National Philanthropy Day is now celebrated around the world. To register for the event, contact AFPNPD2013@gmail.com
And now, lets meet the honorees.
PENNY & ROE STAMPS-Lifetime Achievement Award
Nominated by AFP Miami/Barry University
Penny and Roe have devoted significant time and resources to an array of Florida-based organizations including the University of Miami, The Knight Foundation, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida, Miami Lighthouse for the Blind, Community Partnership for the Homeless, Ransom Everglades School, the American Red Cross Miami Chapter, the Humane Society of Miami, Breakthrough Miami and the Grayvik Animal Care Center.
But topping their list of philanthropic priorities is education. Through the Stamps Charitable Family Foundation, they have shown their deep commitment to higher education by supporting projects and programs at 40 universities nationwide. As the major function of the Foundation, the Stamps Scholars Initiative currently provides financial assistance to more than 400 of this country’s brightest and most driven students.
Despite the demands of their schedule, Penny and Roe always find time to enjoy their family-including son Will, daughter Annie, and newborn grandson, Hunter —as well as their black Labrador retriever, Ella, and more than 14 stray and pedigreed cats.
BRUCE & TRACEY BERKOWITZ-Outstanding Philanthropist Award
Nominated by the University of Miami
Tracey and Bruce Berkowitz have demonstrated their resolve to give back to their community through a commitment to charitable endeavors that touch education, culture, and the arts. This commitment fuels their philanthropic initiatives, and their efforts have made a difference in London, New Jersey, and South Florida during the last 25 years.
Since 2007, Mr. and Mrs. Berkowitz have been very involved with the University of Miami, hosting university events and fundraisers, and serving as vice-chairs of the Momentum2 campaign. Through the Fairholme Foundation, they committed to making President Donna Shalala’s vision for a new student center a reality, providing vital funding for the construction of the Student Activities Center Complex on the University’s Coral Gables campus. Their foundation has also made gifts to the University of Miami Hospital, the Executive Medicine Program, UM Athletics, the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Launch Pad, and the Parents Fund.
Other beneficiaries of their generosity include the Center for Jewish History’s debt-relief campaign, Miami Children’s Hospital, the New World Symphony, the Friendship Circle, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. In 2011, Mr. and Mrs. Berkowitz donated three ambulances for Israel’s only government mandated ambulance and emergency medical responders, Magen David Adom. Through the Foundation, they have also helped sponsor the Secret Millionaires Club, an animated series promoting financial literacy that features Warren Buffett as a mentor to a group of entrepreneurial children.
JORGE LUIS & MARILE LOPEZ-James W. McLamore Outstanding Volunteer Award
Nominated by the American Red Cross South Florida Region
Jorge Luis Lopez has a solid reputation for philanthropic work in the community, serving on various boards of charitable and faith-based not-for-profit organizations for more than 20 years. These include serving as the past Chairman of the Miami Foundation, Founding Chair of the Miami-Dade Parks Foundation, Chair of Governmental Relations Committee of United Way, member of Camillus House & Camillus Health Concern, Miami-Dade College Foundation, FIU Metro-Center, Ambassador Big Brothers and Big Sisters; Florida Division Director for the American Cancer Society, Mercy Foundation and Diamond Member of the Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation. Additionally, he is the Chair of the Citizens’ Oversight Committee under the auspices of the Interlocal Agreements for Public School Facility Planning in Miami-Dade County (ILA) and serves on the boards of Miami-Dade Cultural Affairs Counsel, American Red Cross of Greater Miami & Keys and The Beacon Council as an appointee of Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez.
Marile Lopez dedicates time to serve the community through leadership roles in a number of organizations. She is Chair-Elect for Miami Children’s Hospital (MCH) Foundation, assisting in formulating strategic MCH Foundation policies and plans, and securing financial support for the not-for-profit organization. In 2013, she and husband Jorge Luis Lopez, will again chair the MCH Diamond Ball, which in 2012 raised $4.3 million. She also served on MCH Foundation’s 2011 Diamond Ball Committee. In addition, she is Vice Chair of the board of the American Cancer Society’s Miami-Dade unit and served as Chair of the 2011 “White Out Cancer” Gala. Marile has also dedicated time to helping the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts (NFAA), serving as 2011 YoungArts Gala Committee Chair, 2012 YoungArts Miami Council Chair, and 2013 YoungArts Gala Chair, which she chaired along with her husband. Additionally, she sits on the board of the Boys and Girls Club of Miami-Dade; is on the American Red Cross Ball committee and FIU President’s Council.
Jorge Luis and Marile Lopez are proud parents of five children and reside in Coconut Grove, Florida.
CITI FOUNDATION-Julia Tuttle Award for Community Involvement & Corporate Citizenship
Nominated by The Education Fund
More than $33 million – that is the amount Citi and its philanthropic arm, Citi Foundation, has contributed since 1984 in order to improve public schools, provide affordable housing, ensure cultural programs thrive and support neighborhoods efforts in Miami-Dade.
With a goal of continually understanding and responding to community needs, Citi executives strive every day to build strong relationships with a myriad of non-profit organizations, colleges, chambers and governments. As a result, Citi funds dozens of non-profits, both big and small, and numerous institutions.
One example of the many organizations Citi supports is The Education Fund. Together, Citi and The Education Fund, reached more than 1 million students in the first local “drop-out prevention” effort, launched a daring program to close the digital divide providing 10,000 students and their families with both home computers and training, and created a demonstration model that increased college enrollment by 34%, significantly outpacing district improvements.
Citi replicates this powerful story of success every day with a myriad of other non-profits and community institutions. Citi does not just give cash; it is a generous donor in terms of employees’ time and bank resources. At the core of its commitment to the community is the spirit of volunteerism its employees share on a regular basis by teaming up with non-profit partners, schools and community based organizations to improve neighborhoods.
Citi and Citi Foundation embody the spirit of the Julia Tuttle Award for Community Involvement and Corporate Citizenship, making Miami-Dade a better place in which to work and live.
MIAMI-DADE DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS-Outstanding Grant Maker Award
Nominated by the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County
The Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Department’s volunteer advisory board, develop cultural excellence, diversity and participation throughout Miami-Dade County by strategically creating and promoting opportunities for artists and cultural organizations, and residents and visitors who are their audiences.
The Department manages a portfolio of competitive grants programs and technical assistance for non-profit cultural groups and artists that is considered a national model. In 2012-2013, the Department invested $13.5 million in more than 500 grants. The Department has documented a $1.1 billion annual impact of the arts on the local economy.
The Department’s work is made possible with the support of County Mayor Carlos Gimenez and the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners.
