Patrick Morris: Honored for a Lifetime of Community Service

The Director of Civic and Philanthropic Partnerships for Miami-Dade County under Mayor Daniella Levine Cava is being honored for a lifelong dedication to bettering the community. BY DYLAN BERKOWITZ

“I can’t change the world, but I can change my little part of the world.” This is the guiding principle that has fueled Pat Morris’s decades-long commitment to community service. Throughout his career, Morris has played a crucial role in shaping South Florida’s philanthropic landscape, leveraging his skills in both corporate and nonprofit sectors to drive meaningful change. On February 19th, Morris is being honored with the 2025 Hank Raattama Community Champion Award, a testament to his lifelong dedication to bettering the community.

Morris’s passion for service was instilled in him from a young age. Growing up in an Irish Catholic family on Long Island, New York, he was surrounded by role models who prioritized giving back. His grandfather co-founded the Irish American Society in New York and his father was part of the Knights of Columbus, a church service organization. He was also involved in politics. “I grew up seeing volunteerism firsthand. I guess a little bit of it rubbed off,” Morris says.

That sense of duty followed him through life. In high school, he moved to Pennsylvania, where he participated in relief efforts after a devastating flood in Johnstown. Later, as a student at American University in Washington, D.C., he became involved in clubs and organizations that integrated service into their missions. Even as he pursued an MBA and began a corporate career in New York, he found time to volunteer with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and New York Cares. “Granting wishes to children with terminal illnesses has been one of the greatest volunteer experiences I’ve ever had.” His dedication and hard work paid off, leading him to take on greater leadership roles within Make-A-Wish and eventually serving at the national level.

Inspired by his experience with New York Cares, Morris after moving to Miami in 1990 co-founded Hands On Miami, an organization dedicated to providing flexible volunteer opportunities. He eventually became its CEO and oversaw projects that mobilized thousands of volunteers across South Florida.

Deborah Spiegelman, CEO of the Miami Children’s Museum, says that while heading up Hands On Miami, Morris provided the museum with its first volunteers when it opened in 2023.

“Patrick Morris has been a wonderful friend to the Miami Children’s Museum,” says Spiegelman. “Whatever position he has held, he has always been a wonderful advocate for community engagement and involvement. Patrick is a true example of supporting nonprofits with time, treasure, and talent.”

His impact extended far beyond one organization. Over the years, Morris has held leadership positions with Make-A-Wish, PACE Center for Girls, Junior Achievement of Greater Miami, and the Miami Center for Mental Health & Recovery. He served as Vice President and Chief Development Officer at the YMCA of Greater Miami and, later, as Community Affairs Officer for Wells Fargo, where he directed millions in philanthropic grants to local causes. 

Today, he serves as a Director of Civic and Philanthropic Partnerships for Miami-Dade County under Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “I’m the liaison to the business community, the nonprofit sector, and the philanthropic sector,” says Morris. “My job is to make the government more trusting and more transparent and to open doors to groups who want to make a difference.”

Morris’s years of dedication, leadership, and impact have culminated in this well-deserved recognition. Receiving the Hank Raattama Community Champion Award is particularly meaningful for Morris. “I’ve been fortunate to receive different recognitions over the years,” he says, “but this one is especially special because of my deep respect for Philanthropy Miami and because it is named after Hank Raattama, a friend and mentor.”

Raattama, a well-known lawyer, was a guiding force for nonprofits, providing legal and strategic counsel to leaders across South Florida. “He was quite frankly the one guy in our community that you knew you could go to, and although you may not get what you expected to hear, it was really good advice. To receive an award that is named after him is an incredible honor.”

His commitment to service is not just a career—it’s a way of life that has touched both his colleagues and his family. Judge Steve Leifman, a longtime friend of Morris, says, “He is, by far, the most generous and thoughtful human being I’ve ever met. He is kind beyond words and would do anything for anybody to help them out. Quite remarkable. He does it without prejudice or motives—he just is selfless and thoughtful in a way that you don’t see in this world too often.”

Morris’ wife, whom he met through Leadership Miami and has been married to for 28 years, has been a constant source of support. His two children, now studying at Florida State University and the University of Florida, grew up volunteering alongside him.

As he looks toward the future, Morris remains optimistic about the power of collective action. He says, “The more we encourage volunteerism and that sense of being involved in making this community better, the more it will be the kind of place we want to continue to live in and thrive in,” he says. “We can all agree that we need more kindness. You see kindness in its fullest bloom when you volunteer with somebody, no matter what it is, no matter where it is, no matter what organization it is.”