Dara and Jarett Levan refuse to let the coronavirus crisis diminish the vibrant, engaging community they love.
They are longtime supporters of the arts’ ability to inspire, enliven and unite Broward – a power for good that they know our community needs now more than ever.
So even as this pandemic cancels fundraisers and the economic crisis imperils donations for arts organizations, the endowed Dara and Jarett Levan Fund for the Arts at the Community Foundation of Broward provides a lifeline of support to help keep the arts going.
“The arts are critically important. They are the lifeblood of our community,” Jarett said. “There aren’t a lot of sources available to fund the arts. And we want to make sure we can provide at least one of those sources.”
Dara, a Community Foundation Board member, and Jarett, a former Board member, have seen firsthand how support from charitable Funds at the Community Foundation helps the arts flourish through: murals that transform public spaces, performances that inspire, exhibitions that educate, arts festivals that bring neighbors together and much, much more.
During this time of social distancing and social unrest, the arts have the power to overcome the “loss of connection” in our society, said Dara. “They stimulate. They bring people together. They provide an escape. Our community needs this now more than ever,” she said. Dara is a writer, podcaster, and the founder of Every Soul Has A Story.
Long before the coronavirus cancelled concerts and shuttered art galleries, Dara and Jarett had the foresight to establish their endowed charitable Fund to ensure a permanent source of support for the arts in Broward – come what may.
Likewise, as President of BBX Capital, Jarett last year was instrumental in the creation of the BBX Capital Fund for the Arts. This innovative charitable Fund through 2023 will match other endowed gifts through the Community Foundation – up to $500,000 total – that support the arts. It creates a powerful multiplier effect of support that helps spread the arts into more Broward neighborhoods. Also, BBX Capital has become the Community Foundation’s first corporate Community Builder – joining a visionary group of philanthropists who create endowed Funds of $1 million or more to shape a brighter future for Broward.
Dara and Jarett as well as BBX Capital created their Funds as part of the Community Foundation’s BE BOLD Leadership Campaign – launched in 2018 to fuel innovation, foster new thinking and raise $500 million in endowed support to tackle Broward’s biggest challenges.
Now they are hoping that their support for the BE BOLD Leadership Campaign inspires others to follow. Because they know that today’s health and economic crisis makes Broward’s biggest challenges – including support for the arts – even more daunting. And when times are tough, arts budgets are often the first thing to get cut.
But with more endowed resources, provided by dedicated local philanthropists like Dara and Jarett and BBX Capital, the Community Foundation can ensure local support for the arts in perpetuity.
“We are leaving a legacy and hopefully impacting future generations. Because if we don’t have the arts, what do we have?” Dara asked.
You can boost the impact of your endowed gift to the arts, thanks to the matching program made possible by the BBX Capital Fund for the Arts. To learn more, contact Vice President of Philanthropic Services Nancy Thies at nthies@cfbroward.org or 954-761-9503.
