09 Nov WHY GIVE MIAMI DAY? INSIDERS SHARE WHY THEY GIVE

With just one week away from this town’s biggest giving event of the year, we asked folks who are part of the Give Miami Day movement to share why they give, how they’ll elevate their impact this year and whom they’re supporting on November 17th.

“Give Miami Day is an incredible opportunity to impact a greater number of nonprofit organizations beyond the existing work we do in the community. Participating nonprofits represent so many of the areas we care about from education and the arts, to affordable housing and basic needs that are vital to building a thriving Miami. That’s why we’re excited to participate in Give Miami Day by contributing to the Bonus Pool to help donors’ generosity go even further.”
– Maria Alonso, Senior Vice-President, Market Manager for Corporate Social Responsibility, Bank of America. Bank of America is a generous supporter of the Give Miami Day Bonus Pool.

“I’m a big believer in Give Miami Day and the work The Miami Foundation does to better our community. The Mitchell Wolfson, Sr. Foundation has been a proud sponsor of the Bonus Pool, which allows us to make an impact on the hundreds of nonprofits participating. I also created a Donor Advised Fund with the Foundation to make it easier for me to give that day and have continued to utilize the Fund to do my philanthropic giving throughout the year. They make the process so simple and allow me to focus on the charitable causes for which I’m passionate.”
– Louis Wolfson III, Founding Partner of Pinnacle Housing Group and PHG Builders, Inc. Mr. Wolfson is a Fundholder at The Miami Foundation.

“Give Miami Day is our annual opportunity to highlight the core values and spirit of Our Miami. Each of us, including our families and businesses, have the unique opportunity to invest in a myriad of initiatives, programs, and missions that our community such a special to live, work and play.”
– Marlon A. Hill, Esq., Past Trustee Member, The Miami Foundation, HMB Brownsville Law Academy – Give Miami Day 2016 participant

“This has become one of the most important days of the year for changemakers in Miami. Fourteen of the nonprofits in my Bootcamp family are participating, and the dollars raised are going to transform their work. The volume of people involved, issues, impacted, and organizations sustained in just one day is tremendous.  I’ve been saving up my charity dollars this quarter just so I can participate at my fullest on November 17th. I know how far my dollars will go, and I love being a part of a community in this way. It’s one of the most unifying civic experiences I’ve seen.”
– Rebecca Fishman Lipsey, Founder, Social Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, 100 Great Ideas, Public Transit Day. Rebecca is a Miami Fellows alum.

“I didn’t fully understand what Give Miami Day was all about until I joined the Foundation this year. It’s thrilling to see the energy among nonprofits, friends and family, and our staff. Simply look up the hashtag #GiveMiamiDay on social media and you’ll feel the enthusiasm. For Christmas, I make donations in honor of my nieces and nephews as a way for them to experience the gift of giving. Last year I gave to Camillus House, this year I’m making giving to Voices For Children Foundation, and I’m already looking through nonprofits’ profiles for next year. If you want to experience the excitement firsthand, you can sign up to volunteer at our headquarters here.”
– Ana Mantica, Editorial Officer, The Miami Foundation

Thanks to the support of partners like The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the William R. Watts Foundation, Health Foundation of South Florida, Mitchell Wolfson, Sr. Foundation, Miami Marlins, Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson, SEI, Ortega Foundation, JPMorgan, Bank of America, Miami HEAT Charitable Fund, Helena Rubinstein Foundation and Mastec, The Miami Foundation will make a bonus gift for every donation between $25 and $10,000. Last year, nonprofits received an additional $500,000. To become a Give Miami Day partner or to open a Give Miami Day Fund, email Rebecca Mandelman.