The need for philanthropic capital in this community is immense, but as The Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation and The Miami Foundation developed a grantmaking strategy, the theme of scaling impact became the driving force behind many of the family’s charitable investments. Through hundreds of site visits and meetings, the family and advisors got to intimately understand the organizations working to serve residents and make Greater Miami’s a better place to live. Hundreds of nonprofits in our community are doing meaningful work, and the foundation invests in those well-positioned to scale their impact. View the complete list of grantees.
OUR APPROACH
ADDRESS
Confront challenges to residents’ quality of life – in particular, residents with limited resources and access to opportunities
IDENTIFY
Invest in bold ideas and initiatives that are solving the issues at the individual, neighborhood or system/policy level
PRIORITIZE
Lift efforts that represent models in their approach, and are striving to scale-up by expansion or replication by others
FIU Honors College received $1,000,000 to create the Jorge and Darlene Pérez Scholars Endowment, which will support scholarships for high-achieving students in the college, particularly those intending to live and work in the South Florida community upon graduation.
Miami Music Project received $20,000 in COVID relief to support teacher training on the new virtual curriculum, personal protection equipment, and new technology including laptops.
Catalyst Miami received $150,000 to support the launch of “Future Bound Miami,” a local Children’s Saving Account program for college by investing in the key first-year parent outreach and engagement of kindergarteners in the city of Miami.
ISSUE AREAS
ARTS & CULTURE – EXCELLENCE AND COMMUNITY
Through its arts philanthropy and signature Pérez CreARTE Grants Program, the foundation aims to develop a world-class arts community in Miami-Dade County. The investments focus on cultivating the Miami arts ecosystem by expanding residents’ access to the arts and making Miami a global hub for artistic excellence. It also supports top talent and attracts artists to Miami by creating local fellowship and residency programs and supporting spaces for creation.
HEALTH & WELL-BEING — ADVANCE WELLNESS
Help people with limited resources lead more active, productive, and enriching lives by adopting healthier lifestyles or adapting to their health or physical conditions. Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired (right) received $200,000 to support the Learning Center for Children, a model of inclusive classrooms for sighted and visually impaired students.
EDUCATION — ADVANCE SUCCESS
Provide aspiring children and youth with exceptional learning and personal growth opportunities from early childhood through high school, proven to lift them beyond life challenges to achieve success. KIPP Miami (left) received $210,000 to support growth of the KIPP Sunrise Academy elementary school in Liberty City as it adds more grade levels.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT — ADVANCE PROSPERITY
Improve residents’ financial stability and earning potential through: training in workforce skills or business development; and access to capital, affordable housing, and personal finances education. Grameen America, Inc. (right) received $275,000 to continue expanding their Miami branch, which provides low-income women with business capital in the form of micro-loans, financial training and community support.
ENVIRONMENT — ADVANCE URBAN LIVABILITY
Provide residents access to open green spaces in urban environments and educate them on the importance of protecting the natural environment through conservation and sustainable practices. Miami Waterkeeper (left) received $200,000 to support the continued growth of the “1,000 Eyes on the Water” program, a mobile application for pollution reporting in conjunction with Google developers, online learning materials, Spanish-language outreach and more.