As I begin my Chairmanship of the Coral Gables Community Foundation, I am extremely proud of the progress the Foundation has made under my immediate predecessors, Carlos F. Garcia and Bill Bonn, and where the organization is headed. Since our founding in 1991, we have stewarded more than $5 million to our local community through contributions to education, arts and culture, green space and health.
Our donors, Board Members and volunteers always go above and beyond expectations to continue making Coral Gables an extraordinary place to live and work. We started off 2015 by creating the Golden Gables Fund to support the residents and organizations of the MacFarlane Homestead and Golden Gate neighborhoods of Coral Gables. This historic part of Coral Gables is home to many organizations doing great work for the benefit of our children, our seniors and our community. Our Board of Directors and Foundation donors raised nearly $50,000 for this effort. We also started the Coral Gables Community Foundation Four-Year Scholarship Fund, which awards four, $10,000 college scholarships to deserving and economically disadvantaged Coral Gables Senior High students.
Through the Foundation’s Community Giving Committee, we awarded $50,000 in grants to 15 non-profit organizations in 2015!
Our two signature events, the annual Gala and Tour of Kitchens, exceeded fundraising goals, and because of this, we were able to make significant contributions to our Four-Year Scholarship Fund, the Culinary Arts program at Gables High School, our Endowment and our Community Giving Fund. We also welcomed strong additions to our Board of Directors to include the community’s best leaders from various industries, bringing with them valuable knowledge in their areas of expertise.
On the Funds front, many local families, corporations and important causes established funds at the Foundation, making 2015 the year with the most dollars distributed back into the community – $600,000 – more than in any other year in our history!
In 2015, we also partnered with the Himan Brown Charitable Trust to commit an initial monetary pool as incentive dollars to match donations received between $200 and $1,000 to 17 non-profits that are making a difference in Coral Gables, and throughout Greater Miami, in the areas of youth education, community prosperity, women and children and families in need.
As I look forward to my two years as Chairman from 2016-2017, I encourage you to also take an active role in your community and your Community Foundation. Start a donor-advised fund that addresses needs that are important to you and your family; contribute to our Endowment Fund to ensure the future quality of life in your community; consider the Foundation in your estate planning; become a member of the Merrick Society (memberships begin at $1,000); and learn more about taking a hands-on role with the Coral Gables Community Foundation.
Sincerely,
John O’Rourke III
Chairman, 2016 – 2017
