Gables Foundation Newsletter – July 2021

Save the Date

  • Click Here to support the Foundation by hosting a “table” in your home.
  • Click Here to view options for hosting a “table” in your home (PDF file).

Join the Coral Gables Community Foundation Board of Directors and event chairs Sissy DeMaria-Koehne and Lauren Harrison Brown on Saturday, October 23, 2021 for A Gables Odyssey, an epic in-home entertainment and fine dining experience in support of the Coral Gables Community Foundation. Gods & Goddesses from around the City Beautiful will receive guests in the comfort of their own homes. A Gables Odyssey will continue our time-honored tradition for the City Beautiful while benefiting the pivotal outreach efforts of the Coral Gables Community Foundation.


Together, we have raised nearly $5 million and dedicated the first $1 million to immediate relief for victims and families

We are so moved by the outpouring of generosity from more than 16,500 incredible people from around the world who donated to Support Surfside. Together, we have raised nearly $5 million to help the survivors and victims of Champlain Towers South.

Thanks to your support, the Support Surfside team has been on-site for the past month, providing immediate financial assistance to those affected through prepaid cards and electronic payments. During our time on the ground, we distributed $708,000 in direct aid to 182 individuals and another $155,000 to eight nonprofit organizations at the front line of the crisis response, providing food, housing, mental health and religious counseling, funeral planning, transportation, and other needs for survivors and families. We will continue to disseminate the first $1 million, while readying for more robust investments to come.

For next rounds of assistance, we have partnered with the National Compassion Fund (NCF), whose experts have deep experience leading funds after community crises, and together, we have assembled a steering committee to set the fund’s distribution policy chaired by Miami Dade College President Emeritus Eduardo J. Padrón. The steering committee will work with experts in mass fatality and trauma events and will include opportunities for victims, families, and public input.

This effort is only possible because of the generosity of our community, as well as a treasured partnership with friends at The Miami Foundation, the Key Biscayne Community Foundation, The Miami HEAT, Lennar, and others. It is an honor to stand together when our community is in need.

100% of donations collected through SupportSurfside.org will be distributed directly to the victims and their families.


Congratulations Spring Grant Recipients

The Coral Gables Community Foundation is happy to announce that 33 deserving
nonprofit organizations received grants this Spring cycle. We are proud
to support the important work of our Spring 2021 grantees!


Coral Gables Community Foundation recognized for Scholarship Program

The Coral Gables Community Foundation was recognized with the Champion of Community Partner Award by The Miami-Dade County Council PTA/PTSA. The Champion Award was for the Foundation’s work in scholarship programs for college-bound students from Coral Gables. This year, 57 deserving students were selected to receive scholarships from the 13 scholarship programs managed by the Foundation. The Coral Gables Community Foundation is grateful for the recognition by the Council.

Click HERE to see all the scholarships available from The Foundation.


Board Member Spotlight

Foundation Board Member Vivian de las Cuevas-Diaz was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to the Florida State University Board of Trustees. Vivian is a partner at Holland & Knight and serves as the firmwide deputy section leader of the Real Estate Section. She received her bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and her law degree from Tulane University.

Vivian serves on the board of the Coral Gables Community Foundation and is a board member of the Cuban American Bar Association. She also is a board member of the Miami-Dade Beacon Council. Congratulations, Vivian!


Board Members Sissy DeMaria-Koehne and Wayne Eldred named INNOVATORS by Coral Gables Magazine

In the June 2021 issue of the Coral Gables Magazine’s feature article “Coral Gables: City of the Future?” Doreen Hemlock and JP Faber discuss Coral Gables’ drive to be the top “Smart” city. The Foundation is proud to have two board members recognized as leading innovators in our City Beautiful: Sissy DeMaria- Koehne was recognized for Reinventing Public Relations in a Digital World and Wayne Eldred for Reinventing the Way Business is TaughtRead more HERE


Sponsor a Little Free Library

Bring people together and promote a community of readers

By sponsoring a Little Free Library you and your organization will have the opportunity to join the City of Coral Gables in developing a system of the Little Free Libraries within the existing parks system and start a neighborhood movement to share books.

FILE: Download Application Here

Coral Gables’ four Little Free Libraries, located at:

    • Merrick House is the newest Little Library in honor dedicated to Arva Moore Parks
    • Catalonia Park – 807 Catalonia Avenue
    • Majorca Park – 937 Majorca Avenue
    • Rotary Centennial Park – 512 Ponce de Leon Blvd

View the Little Free Library Map

Note: “Little Free Library” is a trademark of Little Free Library Ltd., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by Todd Bol.


Fund Holder & Grantee Seraphic Fire to Host Concerts in Coral Gables

Seraphic Fire
Grammy nominated vocal ensemble, Seraphic Fire, presents their Fall concert series. See schedule HERE for venues including Coral Gables. The Coral Gables Community Foundation is a proud supporter of Seraphic Fire’s concert series in Coral Gables.


Fund Holder Highlight: Symphonettes Senior Brunch and Silent Auction


The Symphonettes 2021 Senior Brunch and Silent Auction was held at the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club in Coconut Grove on Sunday, May 2nd on a lovely sunny day overlooking Biscayne Bay.

Through their 2020-2021 activities and fundraising efforts, we congratulate the Symphonettes on their donations to the following music and arts non-profits in the Miami area: Young Musicians Unite, South Florida Youth Symphony, Pinecrest City Music Project, Guitars over Guns, Friendship Circle, Coral Reef High School, Coral Gables Chamber Symphony & Opera, CARE Elementary School, Actors’ Playhouse.

The Coral Gables Community Foundation is proud to serve as the fiscal sponsor to Symphonettes.


Merrick Society

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.

This exclusive group commits to a three-year annual contribution of $1,000, $2,500, $5,000 or $10,000. To find out more, please contact our Executive Director, Mary Snow at 305.446.9670 or via email mary@gablesfoundation.org


> Read the full newsletter issue here: https://conta.cc/2V1QlQ4

> Return to the Newsletter Index