More than a Trivial Pursuit but less daunting than a final exam, our 40th Anniversary Quiz provides a fun look back at how we became the Community Foundation of Broward you know today.

With new questions added each month, our quiz aims to trigger fond memories, showcase the BOLD impact of local philanthropy and shine a light on where the Community Foundation is headed.

It’s another part of our yearlong 40th Anniversary celebration, which includes sharing photos, articles, videos, podcast episodes and more that tell the Community Foundation’s story.

Let’s get started!

New Question & Answer

What was the special recognition we gave to fundholders during our first decade who helped us build support for growing Broward's endowed resources?

The Community Foundation launched “The Founders Club” to give special recognition to philanthropists who helped us build early momentum for growing Broward’s endowed resources. The Founders Club included the “Founding Donors” – who created endowed charitable funds of $25,000 or more – and the “Founding Benefactors” – who created endowed charitable funds of $100,000 or more. Early members of The Founders Club included civic leader Blanche Buck, who created an endowed charitable fund to provide ongoing support for seniors and the disabled. Frederick and Mary Ruffner created an endowed fund that today supports after-school programs, the Museum of Discovery and Science and more. In 1989, Wayne and Marti Huizenga showed their belief in the Community Foundation by becoming our first Founding Benefactors. The Founders Club grew to more than 50 members and served as the precursor to our Community Builders designation, which recognizes philanthropists who partner with us to create endowed funds of $1 million or more. CLICK HERE TO SEE A LIST OF THE FOUNDERS CLUB.

‍‍Previous Questions & Answers

What was the original name of the Community Foundation of Broward?

Back in 1984, we launched as the Broward Community Foundation. Then in 1998, in response to our newly adopted long-term plan, our leaders decided our name should reflect how we put the “Community” first in everything we do. That’s when our name changed to the “Community Foundation of Broward” to better reflect our mission and our vision for our future community-focused impact. “We considered what had made the Broward Community Foundation so special and we realized it was the community itself,” former Board Member Howard Greenberg said in the Foundation’s Fall 1998 newsletter. “We decided to put community first where it always belonged.” CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION’S MISSION, VISION AND VALUES.

How many “Community Builders” total have partnered with the Community Foundation to create an impact that lasts forever?

We have partnered with hundreds of philanthropists during the past 40 years to create charitable funds at the Community Foundation that enable them to become more strategic and impactful with their giving. Our 60 “Community Builders” are fundholders who take their philanthropy to the next level by partnering with us to create endowed charitable funds of $1 million or more at the Foundation. The Community Builders’ more than $150 million in endowed gifts through the years have created permanent support to tackle big challenges, fuel innovation and champion causes that transform lives and shape a brighter future for us all. This year, we are thrilled to celebrate new Community Builders Lesley Mitchell Jones, Dixie E. Wheeler, and Burnadette Norris-Weeks and Aaron Weeks. Through the power of endowment, all of our Community Builders ensure that their impact will never end. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY BUILDERS.

Who made the largest gift to the Community Foundation during the past 40 years?

Mary Porter’s $43 million estate gift to the Community Foundation in 2012 was our largest ever gift, creating several endowed charitable funds that provide millions in ongoing support for people in Broward. That includes the Mary N. Porter Legacy Fund, which established a dedicated source of support for construction, renovations and other major capital projects that invest in opportunities to transform lives. Now on Mary’s behalf, the Community Foundation finds innovative projects that make a lasting impact and carry on Mary’s name.  That includes support for affordable housing, expanded mental health facilities, a teaching kitchen that launches culinary careers for people with special needs, Flamingo Gardens’ new learning center and much more. Thanks to Mary’s generosity and her partnership with the Community Foundation, her impact will continue for generations to come. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ENDURING IMPACT OF MARY’S VISIONARY GIFT.

Which community foundation played a big part in inspiring the creation of the Community Foundation of Broward?

The Columbus Foundation in Columbus, Ohio played a crucial role in planting the seed for launching the Community Foundation of Broward. Our Founders, Libby and Jack Deinhardt, lived in Columbus before moving to Fort Lauderdale in 1979. Libby worked as grants administrator for The Columbus Foundation and she and Jack had seen firsthand how a community foundation could rally philanthropic support for tackling local needs. When Libby and Jack got to Fort Lauderdale, they were surprised to learn that, at the time, it was one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country without a community foundation. Today, thanks to Libby and Jack, we are one of the more than 900 community foundations nationwide, providing much-needed philanthropic support in their targeted communities. CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW LIBBY AND JACK USED THEIR COLUMBUS INSPIRATION TO LAUNCH BROWARD’S OWN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION.

How many charitable funds – created in partnership with dedicated individuals, families and organizations to fuel their philanthropy – exist at the Community Foundation?

The Community Foundation currently manages 571 charitable funds, created by generous philanthropists who partner with us to be more strategic and impactful with their giving. Our “Fundholders” include individuals, families and local organizations who seek to amplify their philanthropic impact through our ability to pool resources and forge innovative community collaborations. Our Fundholders name their funds and, year after year, grants from their funds support their charitable passions. Our Fundholders gain peace of mind knowing a trusted fiduciary will always be there to safeguard and grow their fund and to ensure their charitable dollars are used as intended. And by creating an endowed charitable fund, our Fundholders can ensure that their impact for the community they love never ends. Since our founding in 1984, charitable funds at the Community Foundation have produced $195 million in grants – and we are just getting started! CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT THE TYPES OF CHARITABLE FUNDS AVAILABLE AT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION.

In the Community Foundation’s 10 “Issues That Matter” initiative, what name identified our grantmaking and leadership focus on supporting Broward’s LGBTQ community?

Broward Pride was one of 10 “Issues That Matter” we identified in 2015 as critical issues that affect all of us and require Community Foundation leadership and grantmaking to ensure a better future for our community. That is fitting because throughout our 40-year history, support for Broward’s LGBTQ community had always been a key focus area for the Community Foundation. For example, in 1986 the Community Foundation became the first non-government funder in Broward to lead the charge for education and understanding of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In 1997, we created an endowment that became the LGBTQ Community Impact Fund – a sustainable source of support for initiatives and services benefitting LGBTQ residents. And since our founding, the Community Foundation has awarded nearly $10 million in grants to support the LGBTQ community on a wide range of issues, including education, outreach, the arts, health care, advocacy and more. Broward Pride remains part of the Community Foundation’s DNA, evidenced this year with another $500,000 in LGBTQ grantmaking support. CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT LAST YEAR’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF OUR LGBTQ COMMUNITY IMPACT FUND.

When did the Community Foundation create its Legacy Society?

The Legacy Society launched in 2000 with 19 members pledging $2 million in future gifts to the Community Foundation. Today, our Legacy Society includes 180 members who have pledged $400+ million in planned gifts. Our Legacy Society honors visionary philanthropists who include a bequest to the Community Foundation in their estate plans. Membership in the Legacy Society is one of the ways we say “thank you” today to those whose future gifts will shape a brighter tomorrow.  CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR LEGACY SOCIETY.

Who was the Community Foundation’s first Board Chair?

Jim Blosser, a prominent attorney and dedicated community leader, served as our first Board Chair from 1984 to 1987. In the post that back then was known as Board President, Jim played a pivotal role in outreach efforts to raise awareness about the exciting potential of the new Foundation. His leadership set the tone for the 26 Board Chairs who have followed during our 40-year history. We lost Jim in 2023, but the legacy of his leadership lives on in the Community Foundation he helped create. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JIM’S LEADERSHIP.

Who founded the Community Foundation?

Libby and Jack Deinhardt founded the Community Foundation in 1984. Inspired by their involvement with the community foundation in Columbus, Ohio, Libby and Jack decided Broward County – their adopted home – needed a local philanthropy champion of its own. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LIBBY AND JACK’S PIONEERING EFFORTS.

When did we launch the Professional Advisors Council?

Serving as a go-to resource for professional advisors with charitably minded clients has been a top priority for the Community Foundation ever since our founding in 1984. We took our collaborations to the next level when we created the Professional Advisors Council in 2003. Membership on the PAC is one of the ways we say “thank you” to advisors who collaborate with us to help their clients establish charitable funds at the Community Foundation. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR COLLABORATIONS AND HOW THE PAC HAS GROWN.‍

Why do we encourage people to BE BOLD?

The Community Foundation’s BE BOLD Leadership Campaign, launched in 2018, is an ambitious movement to build endowment and grow philanthropic resources able to keep pace with Broward’s growing needs. As we head into the campaign’s final year, we have raised more than $353 million in new and planned gifts – and we aren’t done yet! Are you ready to BE BOLD? LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BE BOLD LEADERSHP CAMPAIGN.

Check back throughout 2024 to test your knowledge with more 40th Anniversary Quiz questions!

Let's talk about how you can create a lasting impact by launching a charitable fund at the Community Foundation of Broward! Contact Vice President Kelly Marmol at kmarmol@cfbroward.org or 954-761-9503.