Our Fund Foundation and Presenting Sponsor Bank of America Private Bank announced that the Third Annual South Florida LGBTQ Philanthropy Awards will be held at the Broward Performing Arts Center’s Mary Porter Riverview Ballroom on Saturday, February 5 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
The cocktail reception and awards ceremony will celebrate individuals and families whose generous donations of time, talent and resources have had a significant positive impact on South Florida’s LGBTQ community.
“The Philanthropy Awards, which recognize and celebrate South Florida’s leading philanthropists and volunteers, has evolved into our signature event,” said David Jobin, president and CEO, Our Fund Foundation. “We are extremely grateful for the continued support from Bank of America Private Bank, which enables us to honor these remarkable and generous community leaders and make South Florida the most liveable and energetic community in the country for LGBTQ people.”
This year’s class of South Florida LGBTQ Philanthropy awardees includes:
- Raising the Bar Award: Jayne Baron Sherman
Jayne Baron Sherman will receive the Philanthropist of the Year award this year for her generosity to numerous cultural, arts and LGBTQ advocacy agencies, which she thoughtfully increased during the pandemic, when non-profit organizations felt particularly vulnerable to budget shortfalls. Jayne’s philanthropic impact in South Florida and nationally has helped to sustain arts and cultural institutions beloved by the LGBTQ community. Jayne and her wife Deby Zum were initial investors in Our Fund’s success as First 100 Funders and remain generous annual supporters. Jayne also regularly provides leadership gifts to Our Fund’s grant funds, which are distributed to South Florida agencies.
- Commitment to a Cause Award: Doug Ames
Many South Florida LGBTQ agencies have been beneficiaries of Doug Ames’ volunteerism. In fact, his name is synonymous with LGBTQ benefits and galas. Doug and the teams he assembles typically are the first faces seen at check-in for most large LGBTQ events in the region. Working tirelessly to gather and relay information to volunteers so that events run smoothly, Doug and his capable crew make it possible for host agencies, their board members and staff to concentrate on their guests and the evening’s program, knowing that registration and guest needs are in the capable hands of Doug and his crew.
- Next Generation of Philanthropy Award: Jonathan Freidin
Jonathan Freidin was nominated for this award by SAVE, South Florida’s oldest advocacy organization for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people, where he has served since 2020 as Chairman of the Board of Directors and as a member of the organization’s board of directors since 2018. In addition to advocating for the equal rights of persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities, he also serves on SAVE’s Endorsement Committee, which interviews and endorses political and judicial candidates running for office in South Florida. Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber recently appointed Jonathan Vice Chair of the Art Deco Cultural District Panel, with the goal of making Miami Beach safer and more enjoyable for residents and visitors. Jonathan’s vigor and fresh ideas for advancing the rights of South Florida’s LGBTQ population exemplify how strong leadership can motivate engagement and positive change.
The evening will also recognize the 10th anniversary of Our Fund Foundation’s founding in 2010 by a small group of committed philanthropic activists in response to the then low ratio of giving directed to LGBTQ organizations in the region and across the country. Conceptualized by Chuck Loring, Dick Schwarz, Coleman Prewitt and Mark Ketchum, who laid the original groundwork, and complemented by Tony Timiraos, Our Fund’s founding president and CEO, the organization has blossomed into the third largest LGBTQ community foundation in the country with $26M in assets and annual grants of $2M distributed to LGBTQ-serving non-profits in South Florida.
Tickets to the cocktail reception and awards ceremony are $75 per person and may be purchased at our-fund.org/awards. For additional information please email ocaballero@our-fund.org or call 954-565-1090.
Established in 2011, Our Fund Foundation has grown into the third largest LGBTQ foundation in the nation. As South Florida’s only LGBTQ community foundation, Our Fund promotes a culture of philanthropy by uniting donors with organizations advancing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties and supporting causes within the LGBTQ community. For more information on Our Fund Foundation visit our-fund.org or call 954-565-1090.