Coral Gables Community Foundation Awards $104k in Grants to Coral Gables Non-Profit Organizations | |
Tim Wagoner of YES Institute accepted an award from Board Chair Venny Torre. | Wells Fargo Bank Vice President Kaiser Ahmed, a Board Member of the Foundation, presented a generous donation of $12,000 from Wells Fargo to President & CEO Mary Snow, Board Chair Venny Torre and Community Giving Co-Chair Michael McCarthy. | New Merrick Society Members Melissa Castro of M.E.D. Expeditors and Nguyen Cabanilla of Contactlink joined Foundation Chair Venny Torre. | |
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The Coral Gables Community Foundation awarded $104,500 in grants from its Community Giving Program to 26 non-profit organizations vital to preserving the quality of life in Coral Gables, with an average grant value more than double that of any past year. Awards were presented on the morning of August 31st in the courtyard at Bachour.
The Community Giving Committee reviewed 125 letters of inquiry in May, and narrowed the slate to 26 awards. In all, the Community Giving Program has made 339 grants worth nearly $1 million since the program was conceived under the leadership of Past Foundation Board Chair Carlos Garcia in 2014. The application window for the Community Giving Program opens again in Spring 2023.
It's never too late to support the Community Giving Program with a show of your support to the Foundation, by joining the Merrick Society of annual donors, or with a planned gift.
| BREAKTHROUGH MIAMI TEAM: Winners of a $7,000 grant to support students in Coral Gables are Development Director Frantz Williams, President & CEO Lori-Ann Cox, Executive Director Nicole Kaufman Glasgow and Board Member Jackie Mansfield, flanking Coral Gables Community Foundation President & CEO Mary Snow. | |
FEATURING WINE FROM THE COMMUNITY'S BEST COLLECTIONS | |
Raise A Glass to Strengthen the Foundation’s Impact, at Wine Auction Event in September | |
Join your friends and neighbors for the Fourth Annual Wine Auction benefitting the Coral Gables Community Foundation, presented by Coral Gables' own Evensky & Katz / Foldes Wealth Management. Benefitting the Coral Gables Community Foundation, guests will be treated to live music by Guerra Grooves, a curated wine auction and live dinner stations at Venetian Pool. Proceeds benefit the Foundation's robust scholarship and grant-making programs. Honorary Chairs Mayor Vince Lago and Olga Mari Lago. Bottles start pouring at 6:00 p.m. | |
ANNUAL BILTMORE BALL NAMES ITS HONOREES | |
On Friday evening, October 21st, Coral Gables will once again host the Biltmore Ball benefiting the Coral Gables Community Foundation and honoring individuals, families and organizations, with a tropical celebration of their Amazonian deeds. The Foundation will pay tribute to these deserving pillars of the community, while toasting the city we all love so dearly. | |
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James Captain Scholarship Enables Kids to Attend Coral Gables Parks Summer Camps
In memory of his brother James Captain, Coral Gables resident and Merrick Society Member Tim Anagnost sponsored some unforgettable summer fun: Salvador Barrera, 6, attended tennis camp at Salvador Park (pictured at right). Rana Alshoubi, 7, and Lena Alshoubi, 5, attended Granada Tennis Camp.
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Gables Commissioner Kirk Menendez Establishes Family Fund
We are thrilled to welcome Commissioner Kirk Menendez and wife Maria Teresa as they open the Kirk and Lydia Menendez Family Fund at the Coral Gables Community Foundation to support the causes closest to them.
The Menendez family has long dedicated themselves to service. Maria Teresa is a devoted civil servant, loving mother and wife. Daughter Lydia is a junior in college, and son, Kirk Jr., is a freshman in college.
Kirk has dedicated the past 40 years to advocating for and helping children and families at the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center, St. Theresa School, Church of the Little Flower, Knights of Columbus and the Gift Meal Project.
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Work Day Attracts Gables Neighbors with Clippers and Gloves to Camp Mahachee
About 50 volunteers made for a productive August workday at historic Camp Mahachee, with the The Coral Gables Garden Club, the City of Coral Gables and Coral Gables Fire Department represented among those helping Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida to restore the hardwood hammock on Old Cutler Road. Thanks to all who volunteered!
PLANT A TREE: Join Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida on October 2nd for a community-wide tree planting at Camp Mahachee, the treasured 75-year-old Girl Scouts property in the heart of Coral Gables.
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WHICH GRANTS WOULD YOU SUPPORT? | |
2022 ‘Charity Look Book’ Delivers A Peek Behind the Philanthropy | Using our local knowledge, subject matter expertise and trusted relationships, the Coral Gables Community Foundation made investments last month in carefully selected non-profit organizations. Now we're sharing our own internal brief. Browse the budgets, missions and goals. If you're interested, we can guide you in joining our support of these worthwhile programs. | |
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We are pleased to spotlight
AJIT and MARIA ALICIA ASRANI in this month's
Merrick Society Member Moment.
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In addition to being members of the Merrick Society, the Asranis are members of the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables, and are restoring their landmark home on the edge of the Coral Gables Waterway. Mr. Asrani has served on several city boards and is now serving on the City of Coral Gables Landmark Advisory Board. Their Mediterranean Revival style home, designed by Phineas Paist, has been host to several charity events including the Foundation’s Merrick Society and Grantee receptions. Having lived in Palm Beach for 20 years, they were moved by the designs of architect Addison Mizner and the Mediterranean Revival movement. The Coral Gables Community Foundation's giving programs are made possible by the generosity of Merrick Society members like the Asranis. | |
Evensky & Katz / Foldes Wealth Management Reaches Major Charitable Giving Milestone; Broad Influence On Local Philanthropy Over 16 Years
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THE EVENSKY & KATZ CHARITABLE FUND at the Coral Gables Community Foundation has established itself as a major philanthropic player in South Florida, at a critical time when many local non-profit organizations have been pinched by high expenses and thin donations. Fund Holder David S. Evensky, principal at Evensky & Katz / Foldes Wealth Management, is the Board Chair of the Friendship Circle of Miami, sits on the board of the American Jewish Committee and is a member of the Society of Mount Sinai Medical Center. | |
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“It’s inspirational… helping the community and its youth live up to their philanthropic potential is simply more impactful with the deep bench of support provided by the Coral Gables Community Foundation..."
– David Evensky
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Friday, September 23rd:
"Vinos at the Venetian: Fourth Annual Wine Auction"
Presenting sponsor Evensky & Katz / Foldes Wealth Management
Eventbrite link
Friday, October 21st:
"The Road to Rio: A Gala from Ipanema" at The Biltmore Hotel
Presenting sponsors Trish & Dan Bell; Co-Chairs Sissy deMaria-Koehne and Lauren Harrison Brown.
Eventbrite link
Wednesday, November 2nd:
"Early Detection Breast Talk" featuring breast radiologist Nilza Kallos M.D.,
from The Lennar Foundation Medical Center.
5:30 p.m. at the Lola B. Walker Community Center, 218 Florida Ave., Coconut Grove
Eventbrite link
Wednesday, November 9th:
"Water Quality Talk in Coral Gables" in partnership with Miami Waterkeepers, a Merrick Society & Fund Holders event (links to come)
Saturday, February 11, 2023:
"Annual Tour of Kitchens" (links to come)
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Merrick Society welcomes new members | |
PLEASE GET TO KNOW YOUR GENEROUS NEIGHBORS: Brian & Mary Alden; Hoda & Morad Askari; Peter & Kerrin Bermont; Pat Brockway; Nguyen Castilla Cabanilla; Melissa Castro; Robert Coleman & Armando Olivera; Brian & Lauren Donahue; Joe & Helga Fernandez; Roy & Kevin Moure; Earl & Cristy Powell; Christine & Robert Straub. | |
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The Coral Gables Community Foundation established the Merrick Society so that visionary people can continue George Merrick's dream. The Merrick Society preserves key philanthropic activities in the Gables and raises unrestricted funds for the Foundation.
To find out more, please contact President and CEO Mary Snow at 305.446.9670 or via email mary@gablesfoundation.org.
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The Coral Gables Community Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
The mission of the Coral Gables Community Foundation is to inspire impactful philanthropy through charitable funds and programs using local knowledge, expertise and trusted relationships.
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