The Miami Foundation is constantly growing and evolving to strengthen Greater Miami. For over 50 years, we have been building endowment funds with generous donors to be a permanent community philanthropic resource. Each year through Community Grants, we use these endowments to address Greater Miami’s most pressing needs and opportunities while honoring the intent of the original donor. In 2021, through Community Grants we focused on making investments that would have the greatest impact for local residents by selecting nonprofit partners with clear visions for sustainable progress, an overarching commitment to advancing equity, and an unwavering dedication to collectively building a thriving Miami for all.
This year, we are also incredibly grateful to The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation that partnered with The Miami Foundation to support Community Grants, enabling us to invest additional resources throughout Greater Miami.
We are proud to share the incredible group of advocates, creators, and leaders that make up our Community Grants partners this year, and we invite you to get to know these organizations and join us in investing in them.
ACCESS TO HEALTH AND WELLNESS
305 Pink Pack ($12,500)
To bring community, advocacy and hope to women going through active cancer treatment.
Arianna’s Center ($20,000)
To support the organization’s mission to empower and uplift transgender women of color and gender non-conforming individuals, and to reduce the stigma they face.
ASK COLESTARS, INC. ($10,000)
To support the execution of SPROUT, a three-tiered program to combat food insecurity, provide education on healthy food, and reduce job insecurity in Homestead and Florida City.
Buddy System MIA ($10,000)
To support the expansion of the organization’s mission to fight food insecurity by creating unique and innovative ways to engage the community and empower neighbors to support neighbors, all beginning with access to free, healthy food.
Center for Community Learning, Inc. ($22,500)
To support a pilot of the Compassionate Communities Project that will disseminate the culturally adapted Mindful Self-Compassion program to serve trauma-exposed immigrant Latinas throughout Miami-Dade County.
Chainless Change, Inc. ($30,000)
To expand Chainless Change’s community of recovery, advocacy and support for justice-involved people in Miami-Dade County.
Dade County Street Response ($17,500)
To support the organization’s mission to address the unique needs of unsheltered individuals by providing collaborative, high-quality care to neighbors on the street in Miami-Dade County.
Farmworker Association of Florida, Inc. ($20,000)
To support the Building Local Food Systems program to improve health and access to fresh fruits and vegetables in farmworker communities while deepening awareness and knowledge about the importance of sustainable practices.
Feeding South Florida, Inc. ($15,000)
To support the organization’s efforts to address the public health and economic crises caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in low-income communities of color.
Florida Health Justice Project, Inc. ($17,500)
To support the organization’s work to assist Miami-Dade County residents with low incomes to access health care.
Food Rescue US, Inc. ($30,000)
To support the Community Kitchen Initiative and ongoing work to rescue food and provide it to those in need throughout Miami-Dade County.
Haitian American Nurses Association of Florida, Inc. ($10,000)
To support the organization’s work to enhance the health and welfare of the underserved Haitian and African American communities in Miami-Dade County through education and access to health care.
Health in the Hood ($30,000)
To support ongoing healthy food distribution programs through our network of urban farms and our drive-through pantry operations, moving the model toward a fully sustainable local food ecosystem.
ICU Baby ($10,000)
To support ICU baby’s mission to provide NICU families with the means to participate in their baby’s hospital care.
International Rescue Committee, Inc. ($25,000)
To support programming to provide unaccompanied minors and survivors of trafficking in Greater Miami with the mental health supports needed to move toward wellness.
Latinos Salud, Inc. ($30,000)
To expand a free Wellness Clinic that will enable more LGBTQ community members in Miami-Dade County to access PrEP and prevent HIV infection.
MUJER, Inc. ($30,000)
To provide mental health services to victims of domestic and/or sexual abuse, particularly undocumented immigrants and farmworkers.
NAMI Miami-Dade County, Inc. ($25,000)
To expand free mental health programs and support services to address health disparities in underserved communities of color in Miami-Dade County.
Open Door Health Center, Inc. ($15,000)
To improve healthcare access for low-income, uninsured persons in Miami-Dade County and reduce medical emergencies.
PATCHES PPEC ($25,000)
To support the organization’s mission to serve children of low-income South Dade families who have medically complex or life-threatening illnesses by converting to a digital medical records system.
PERIOD. ($15,000)
To support PERIOD’s mission to eradicate period poverty in Greater Miami through coalition building, advocacy, partnerships and youth-focused grassroots organizing.
Showering Love Inc. ($10,000)
To support the organization’s mission to restore dignity, hope, and health to people experiencing homelessness by providing mobile showers, sanitation and other supportive services.
Southern Birth Justice Network ($15,000)
To support the organization’s goals to increase the number of community-based health professionals in Miami-Dade County to transform racial health disparities.
The Shop Docs ($10,000)
To support the organization’s mission to combat racial health disparities by providing free health education and access to care through local barbershops, while also building a training pipeline for more Black doctors.
TOUCCH, Inc. ($22,500)
To train community residents in Liberty City and Overtown to become skilled “Community Mentors” to support individual and collective healing.
Universal Heritage Institute Inc. ($20,000)
To support the organization’s mission to bridge the gap between innovative healthcare solutions and treatment for underserved, marginalized communities in Miami-Dade County.
Urban Oasis Project ($20,000)
To support the organization’s mission to create a local food movement that is accessible and available to all.
YWCA South Florida ($25,000)
To support programming for women of color to access breast and cervical cancer survival needs, especially mental health and well-being.
ECONOMIC STABILITY
aire ventures.inc ($22,000)
To support the Opportunity Connect Tech Equity Package, a targeted digital suite of services to elevate the digital proficiency and online presence of low-to-middle income founders of color in Overtown for their increased access to capital and business growth.
Capital Good Fund ($30,000)
To support the Crisis Relief Loan (CRL) program for Greater Miami families weathering the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis.
Catalyst Miami, Inc. ($26,000)
To support resilience-oriented leadership programs that create pipelines of leaders equipped to identify and advocate for solutions to Miami-Dade’s most pressing challenges, creating outcomes that better address the resilience of low-wealth residents and people of color.
Grove Rights and Community Equity, Inc. ($17,500)
To support a fair and affordable housing coalition in Coconut Grove in order to protect vulnerable Black tenants and homeowners at risk of eviction or displacement.
Haitian Neighborhood Center Sant La, Inc. ($37,500)
To support a Digital Navigator who will strengthen work to reduce the impact of the digital divide by connecting residents of the Northeast Corridor with digital resources and skills training.
Ladies Empowerment and Action Program, Inc. (LEAP) ($20,000)
To provide mission support for LEAP’s re-entry programs, strategic planning and evaluation processes to create a continuum of care for women in Miami-Dade County.
Little Haiti Housing Association, Inc. ($17,500)
To support the organization’s mission and programs, including the Home Buying Program for low-income Haitian American families.
Miami Homes For All ($25,000)
To support the organization’s civic empowerment program to ensure that publicly owned land will be used to create thousands of affordable homes in Miami-Dade County.
Miami Workers Center, Inc. ($30,000)
To support the organization’s mission and strengthen organizational capacity to build the power and leadership of Black, brown and Latinx women in Miami-Dade County.
Office of New Americans of Miami-Dade, Inc. ($15,000)
To scale the organization’s resources to ensure the immigrant community in Miami-Dade County thrives and achieves economic mobility.
Overtown Youth Center, Inc. ($20,000)
To support the Inspire, Engage, Employ (IE2) College and Career Readiness program for youth to make a successful transition to post-secondary education and the workforce.
Rebuilding Together Miami-Dade, Inc. ($37,500)
To support Rebuilding Together’s mission to repair homes, revitalize communities and rebuild lives by supporting a full-time Construction Director to expand work in Miami-Dade County.
South Florida Community Land Trust, Inc. ($10,000)
To support the community land trust model to mitigate gentrification and provide pathways to social equity and wealth-building for Little Haiti’s marginalized residents.
Transition, Inc. ($17,500)
To support the expansion of job training and certification offerings for Miami-Dade County clients facing multiple barriers to employment.
WeCount!, Inc. ($32,000)
To support and scale WeCount!’s campaign to end wage theft in South Florida through a worker-led model of direct services, popular education, leadership development, policy advocacy and grassroots organizing.
Year Up South Florida ($15,000)
To support young adults participating in Year Up’s Talent Hub to access the professional and technical skills necessary to achieve economic security and stability.
INCLUSION OF PEOPLE WITH DIVERSE ABILITIES
CCDH, Inc. (The Advocacy Network on Disabilities) ($40,000)
To support the organization’s work to expand quality behavioral health services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by maintaining a compliant client management system and training local practitioners.
Disability Independence Group Inc. ($30,000)
To expand the Wallet Card Project that ensures people with disabilities can safely integrate into community life and prevent negative interactions with first responders and law enforcement.
DMF Employment Opportunities ($30,000)
To create employment opportunities for young adults with unique abilities by building long-term partnerships with local employers and providing ongoing support for employees.
Easterseals South Florida, Inc. ($16,000)
To support transportation services so that youth can participate in the Inclusive Child Development Center and access early intervention programs.
Karen Peterson and Dancers, Inc. ($10,000)
To support a multimedia dance work based on the narratives of people with disabilities and how they dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ken’s Krew Inc. ($20,000)
To support prevocational, job placement, training and job retention services for individuals with disabilities in independent competitive employment settings in Miami-Dade County.
Radical Partners ($35,000)
To strengthen existing social impact networks by making them more accessible and recognized by leaders and locals with all abilities so that they can help shape future social impact work.
The Key Clubhouse of South Florida ($40,000)
To support the expansion of pre-employment skills building and employment placement programming to help more low-income adults living with serious mental illness rejoin the world of work.
SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT
Environmental Defense Fund, Inc. ($20,000)
To lead Miami-Dade County and federal partners to revise the Back Bay project toward equitable and nature-based solutions that best serve the local community and set precedent for federal regulatory reform.
Miami Dade Transit Alliance ($15,000)
To create a data-driven and community-informed Mobility Blueprint to drive improved public transportation, safer streets and systemic government change.
Miami Waterkeeper, Inc. ($25,000)
To support continued efforts to drive community consensus on issues facing local water resources.
P.E.E.R. Group ($25,000)
To build operational capacity within P.E.E.R. Group to expand its community lawyering approach to address climate justice and build empowered participation of historically marginalized groups.
Sachamama Inc. ($25,000)
To implement the Climate Innovation Lab in Miami to empower individuals to build healthy and more resilient communities by promoting climate action through leadership development, civic engagement, and community-based and policy-related climate actions.
The CLEO Institute ($25,000)
To expand the Climate Resilient Schools (CRS) program into more Miami-Dade County schools, especially in low-wealth areas.
The Everglades Foundation, Inc. ($15,000)
To leverage the power of teachers within and throughout classroom settings in Miami-Dade County to inform, engage, and empower students to become the environmental stewards needed to save and protect the Everglades.
THRIVING YOUTH AND FAMILIES
Achieve Miami ($30,000)
To support Achieve Miami’s high school programs that seek to set students on a path to success through leadership development, service opportunities and college readiness programs.
Adrienne Arsht Center Trust, Inc. ($10,000)
To support the expansion of AileyCamp Miami, increasing opportunities for more Miami-Dade middle-school students to become independent, fearless, resilient and caring global citizens.
Be Strong International ($30,000 )
To support afterschool programs for middle-school students in low-income areas that will provide differentiated instruction and enriching art experiences to help students excel academically and build personal resilience.
Belafonte TACOLCY Center, Inc. ($20,000)
To support inclusive and meaningful community programs in Liberty City to provide health, social and cultural benefits.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami, Inc. ($17,500)
To empower youth in Miami-Dade County to achieve their full potential through a combination of one-to-one and group mentoring programs as well as continuing education programs and other youth development activities.
Branches, Inc. ($12,500)
To support a framework and tools to examine the organization’s culture, practices and norms through an equity lens.
Breakthrough Miami, Inc. ($25,000)
To develop a Leadership Track that will connect and develop Breakthrough Scholars to grow in service-learning roles as volunteers and Teaching Fellows, building skills for the future, and increasing Black, Latinx and First Gen leaders.
Bridge to Hope ($30,000)
To provide vital basic needs supports that promote stability and improve nutrition, health and well-being for marginalized, under-resourced communities that are at high risk for food insecurity.
Camillus House, Inc. ($20,000)
To support the Camillus Youth Housing Initiative (CYHI) that provides transitional housing and comprehensive social support systems for unaccompanied youth (ages 18-24) who are houseless.
Campus Election Engagement Project ($10,000)
To support Campus Election Engagement Project’s efforts to build the civic, election and voting participation of Miami-Dade County college students.
Catholic Charities Legal Services, Archdiocese of Miami, Inc. ($25,000)
To support legal representation of asylum-seeking immigrant parents with minor children who are subject to deportation proceedings and complex procedural issues before the Miami-Dade immigration court.
Children’s Movement of Florida ($10,000)
To support the organization’s state-level advocacy and business engagement work on behalf of young children with implications for reimagining a generational cycle of resilience and educational achievement.
Cuban American Bar Association’s Pro Bono Project, Inc. ($25,000)
To support the Immigrant Children’s Program that provides holistic, vigorous legal representation to undocumented immigrant children.
Dibia DREAM, Inc. ($15,000)
To support DREAM Academy, a STEM and sports-based afterschool youth development program.
Educate Tomorrow ($30,000)
To support the organization’s program model that centers on individualized goal planning and coaching for high school and college students who have experienced foster care or homelessness.
Evolutionary Arts Life Foundation Inc. ($30,000)
To support the organization’s dual-track summer program to provide opportunities for children in under-resourced areas to access the performing arts.
Fab Lab Miami ($15,000)
To support the first Fab Lab in Liberty City including customized student mentorship, advising, certifications and internships in STEM fields.
Family Action Network Movement, Inc. ($30,000)
To assist youth, families, and business owners to thrive financially through financial literacy education, employment assistance and other services.
Fanm Saj ($25,000)
To support work to build a Restorative Justice Ecosystem in South Florida by providing directly impacted Black families and youth with wellness tools for self and communal care through restorative justice circles.
Gang Alternative, Inc. ($28,000)
To support storytelling initiatives to help youth in underserved areas to creatively and socially engage through their own storytelling.
Genesis Hopeful Haven, Inc. ($15,000)
To support the Successful Transitions Empowerment Program (STEP) to provide youth in foster care with opportunities to overcome racial inequities by fostering education, vocational success, independent living and financial stability.
Guitars Over Guns Organization, Inc. ($30,000)
To support the expansion of arts-mentorship programs in under-resourced areas such as Miami Gardens and South Dade.
Kids N Touch Academy ($28,000)
To support programming to provide remote, mobile, and digital access to mental health supports for children of color in the wake of the pandemic and national racial tension.
Mexican American Council, Inc. ($28,000)
To support programs serving farmworker youth and their parents to ensure equitable access to a quality education and access to the arts and technology, while also raising the profile of migrant cultural and social issues.
Miami City Ballet, Inc. ($15,000)
To support community engagement programs that offer arts enrichment and access through dance education scholarships, free performances, school residencies and accessible experiences for protected populations.
Miami Diaper Bank Inc. ($22,500)
To support the organization’s capacity building and build a sustainable, community-based solution to local diaper need.
Miami EdTech, Inc. ($25,000)
To provide Miami-Dade County Public School students with computer science education to support their economic and social success.
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Inc. ($25,000)
To support the Heiken Children’s Vision Program that provides eye examinations and prescription eyeglasses to youth in low-wealth areas in Miami-Dade County.
Miami Music Project, Inc. ($15,000)
To support the sustained operation and expansion of Miami Music Project’s Children’s Orchestras to under-resourced populations in Miami-Dade County.
Nora Sandigo Children Foundation ($28,000)
To support the organization’s after-school program for children separated or at risk of separation from their undocumented parents.
One Hundred Black Men of South Florida, Inc. ($20,000)
To support the Mentoring Leadership Academy program to provide development opportunities for African American youth in Miami-Dade County.
Opa-Locka Community Development Corporation, Inc. ($30,000)
To support the organization’s youth advocacy program series that aims to build community organizing power among Opa-Locka youth while simultaneously developing a leadership pipeline for the future generation of north Miami-Dade County residents.
Overtown Children and Youth Coalition ($30,000)
To support Overtown Children and Youth Coalition’s place-based initiative to address the lack of policy-driven solutions and inadequate technological infrastructure at the core of inequitable social and economic outcomes in Overtown.
P.S. 305 ($15,000)
To support the organization’s work to unleash parent power in Miami-Dade County’s public education system.
PACE Center for Girls, Inc. ($18,000)
To support the organization’s mission to provide girls and young women in Miami-Dade County the opportunity to develop their leadership, pursue their dreams, and find the healing and support they need to be successful.
Planned Parenthood of South, East and North Florida ($15,000)
To support the Leaders Igniting a Generation of Healthy Teens (LIGHT) Peer Education program for teens in Liberty City, Brownsville and Allapattah.
Project Thug Inc. ($10,000)
To pursue educational equity through Project T.H.U.G. (Transforming. Hope. And Unifying Generations) by working with young Black men in school in Miami-Dade County to increase educational attainment, post-high school advancement, and social and emotional confidence.
S.E.E.K Foundation, Inc. ($25,000)
To support the Build-Code-Grow program in Miami Gardens to foster student knowledge, interest and passion for the growing field of STEM.
Teach for America, Inc. ($10,000)
To support the organization’s work to accelerate the reading and math skills of Miami-Dade County’s most marginalized students who were most affected by COVID-19-related learning losses.
Teen Up-Ward Bound, Inc. ($10,000)
To support the organization’s mission to empower youth through programming that builds business and financial literacy and leadership development.
Together for Children ($30,000)
To elevate the organization’s approach to addressing the root causes of youth violence by overtly integrating anti-racism strategies within a collective impact model to make systemic and sustainable change in Miami-Dade County.
University of Miami (Medical Scholars Program) ($25,000)
To support the University of Miami’s Medical Scholars Program at Booker T. Washington High School to provide supplemental health sciences courses, mentorship and academic support services.
Voices for Children Foundation, Inc. ($10,000)
To support the Miami Guardian ad Litem Program to help abused and neglected children in the child welfare system to thrive.
