The Mary N. Porter Legacy Fund, the Foundation's first ever Fund dedicated to capital projects will provide a $1 million grant to the Broward Center to aid in a 36,500 sq. ft. facility expansion of its campus.

After reviewing more than 26 applications, totaling $11.6 million the  Foundation's Board also approved a $500,000 grant to the Urban League of Broward County to create a high-tech learning hub for minority populations.

The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival received a third grant of $150,000 for a new cinema to support emerging artists and educators in downtown Hollywood.  Each project will bear Mary's name.

Mary N. Porter"The grantees have strong support from engaged, capable boards committed to matching dollars that creates a a total of $3 million of community investment," said Wendy S. Masi, Foundation Board Chair.  "This is the first step in the fulfillment of Mary's trust in the Foundation to support smart, impactful projects that forever link the Porter name to efforts that improve the quality of life in Broward."

The Mary N. Porter Legacy Fund, the Foundation's first ever Fund dedicated to capital projects is one of three Funds created in the fall of 2012 from Mary Porter's historic estate gift to the Foundation.  

See the Sun-Sentinel coverage of this story here and a video of Mary's life and legacy here:

Founded in 1984, the Community Foundation of Broward's mission is to provide leadership on community solutions, and foster philanthropy that connects people who care with causes that matter. A public nonprofit organization with more than 450 charitable and agency endowments  Funds representing $150 million, it has distributed $60 million to support community solutions over the past 29 years. For more information about the Community Foundation of Broward, visit cfbroward.org or call 954.761.9503.