The Miami Foundation has announced the distribution of $204,900 from its GLBT Community Projects Fund to 22 area groups or institutions. Awards range from $2,500 to $18,000.
The money came from a record-breaking $211,291 donation by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force to the Foundation in June for distribution to local community LGBT-friendly groups. The donation represents two-thirds of the combined net proceeds from the Task Force’s 2012 Winter Party Festival and the 15th Annual Recognition Dinner, both held in Miami Beach.
“There is no question that the contributions of the LGBT community have enhanced the quality of life for all in Miami-Dade and South Florida,” said Javier Alberto Soto, Miami Foundation president and CEO. “The recipients are all great contributors to education, the arts and social services and the community is richer for it.”
Nancy Jones, the Foundation’s vice president for development and communications, said, “In one way or other, each of the recipient organizations serves not only the LGBT community, but Greater Miami as a whole.”
The $6,391 balance will go to the Task Force’s national efforts to achieve LGBT equality.
This year’s recipients include: American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of South Florida; Blue Stripe Films, Equality Florida Human Rights Education Project; Family Counseling Services of Greater Miami; Florida International University; Fundarte Inc., the MDC Foundation- /Miami International Film Festival; MDGLCC Foundation; Miami Beach Gay Pride Inc.; Miami Bridge Youth and Family Services Inc.; Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival Inc.; Next @ 19 Street; Performing Arts Center Trust Inc.; Pioneer Winter Collective; Pridelines Youth Services Inc.; Safe Schools South Florida; SAVE Foundation Inc.; Shining Families; Switchboard of Miami Inc.; Tigertail Productions, and YES Institute.
The Miami Recognition Dinner, “Sparkle,” took place on Oct. 6 at the Fontainebleau Hotel, and the Winter Party Festival will be Mar. 6-11, 2013 at venues throughout Miami and Miami Beach.
Established in 1967, The Miami Foundation has helped hundreds of people create personal, permanent and powerful legacies by establishing custom, charitable funds. With foundation expertise, fundholders have fostered the arts, awarded scholarships, championed diversity, taught kids to read, provided food and shelter for the hungry and homeless, and more. More than $150 million in grants and scholarships has been awarded in the Foundation’s 45-year history. Today, the Foundation is steward to more than $160 million in charitable assets.
For more information about The Miami Foundation, visit online at www.miamifoundation.org
