Building Community and Opportunity
A Statement from the Board of Directors and President/CEO
While our country is spirited and always changing, we continue to have a clear understanding of who we are as an organization and a community. We want to assure all members of our community that our guiding principles remain unchanged.
Why this Matters
The Community Foundation of Broward serves as a catalyst for good, enriching the lives of all who call Broward County home.
As our nation grows and evolves, we remain deeply rooted in our mission and values. No matter the changes around us, our commitment to the community is guided by a spirit of belonging, ensuring that every individual – regardless of race, skin color, ethnicity, gender and gender expression, mental or physical ability, age, faith, or sexual orientation – is valued and supported.
We work hand in hand with a dynamic group of donors and a diverse mix of nonprofits dedicated to building community and opportunity in Broward. Together, we focus on the needs of our culturally diverse community, and work to overcome systemic injustices. Leading with love, we celebrate the vibrant tapestry of humanity, nature and community that makes Broward home.
Our Commitment
to Broward County
At the Community Foundation of Broward, we are committed to building a stronger, more connected Broward where everyone can succeed. Through leadership, philanthropy and collaboration, we work to remove barriers, expand opportunities and strengthen our community so that all residents can thrive.
By bringing people together and supporting innovative solutions, we help create a welcoming and vibrant Broward where fairness, understanding and shared success are at the heart of everything we do.
Solutions will not come easily, but the Community Foundation is not new to tackling tough challenges. Since 1984, we have partnered with our fundholders to provide support that helps bridge economic, health, education and wealth gaps in our community.
We are far from finished. The Community Foundation is committed to building community and opportunity to shape a brighter future for everyone in Broward.
How we are making a difference
- Awarded over $4 million in arts and social impact grants to support communitywide opportunities for the arts to deepen knowledge, promote dialogue and encourage positive change in Broward.
- Collaborated with Our Fund Foundation to provide $1.2M in critical support to foster justice and fairness for LGBTQ residents.
- Teamed with the Broward Workshop, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, and other local partners to broaden access to training sessions about systemic intolerance and implicit bias.
- Launched the $1 million BE BOLD Prize - a grant for the most innovative proposal to boost local employment, with an emphasis on residents in economically challenged zip codes who have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic's economic repercussions
- Created four Health & Resource Hubs across four underserved Broward communities Hollywood, Deerfield, Pompano Markham Elementary, and Lauderhill - to increase resident involvement and access to health care, healthy food, and physical activity.
- Expanded LGBTQ access to health care with medical care for the uninsured; better training for medical care providers; and supported "Rainbow Justice" to provide egal help to LGBTQ residents to overcome obstacles to health care, housing, and other necessities.
- Championed efforts or critical local facilities - including hospitals, government agencies, and the Museum of Discovery and Science - to boost LGBTQ inclusion and outreach.
- Presented the civil rights exhibit Brown to Broward on school desegregation in Broward, led by civil rights icon W. George Allen, Esq., and established a new college scholarship.
- Supported the Anti-Defamation League's "No Place For Hate" program, which helps Broward school students celebrate their uniqueness and foster harmony.
- Supported the establishment of a new permanent exhibit on contributions of Broward's African Americans to the development of Broward County throughout its history.
Our Commitment to a Stronger, More United Community
The Community Foundation of Broward is committed to bringing people together, celebrating our shared humanity and ensuring that everyone can thrive. We recognize the strength that comes from embracing different perspectives and experiences, and we work to create a community where all feel valued, respected and empowered.
Philanthropy has the power to bridge divides, expand opportunities and strengthen connections. Our mission drives us to use our resources, leadership and partnerships to overcome challenges and create meaningful change. By bringing together social, philanthropic and intellectual capital, we amplify voices, encourage collaboration and open doors to new possibilities.
This is a shared responsibility, and we hold ourselves accountable for fostering a community where fairness, opportunity and representation guide our efforts. We lead with love, humility, transparency and a commitment to listening and learning, which ensures our work reflects the needs and aspirations of those we serve.
Creating lasting change takes dedication, courage and optimism. It requires a sustained commitment to building community and opportunity so everyone feels a sense of belonging and can reach their full potential. With hope and determination, we aspire to create a stronger, more connected Broward – where we all have the opportunity to contribute, succeed and feel at home.
