Second Annual Mayors Philanthropic Forum Highlights Impact, Opportunity of Local Philanthropy

On May 20, the Community Foundation hosted this special gathering of mayors, city administrators, philanthropists and more for a luncheon and engaging discussion about the role of philanthropy in building stronger, more vibrant communities.

The forums aim to bring leaders together annually to find new ways to work together to tackle Broward County’s biggest issues and create a positive impact for all residents.

City officials in attendance included: Coconut Creek City Manager Sheila Rose, Coconut Creek Mayor Jeffrey Wasserman, Dania Beach Mayor Joyce Davis, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis, Hallandale Beach Mayor Joy Cooper, Hallandale Beach Events & Media Eve Paul, Hollywood Grant Administrator Tymira Mack, Lauderdale Lakes Acting City Manager Venice Howard, Lauderhill City Manager Kennie Hobbs Jr., Lauderhill Deputy City Manager Sean Henderson, Lauderdale Lakes Vice Mayor Sharon Thomas, Oakland Park CRA and Economic Development Director Neysa Herrera, Pembroke Park Town Manager David Sigerson, Pompano Beach Mayor Rex Hardin, Sea Ranch Lakes Mayor Jeffrey Nelson, Sea Ranch Lakes Village Clerk Starr Paton, Tamarac Mayor Michelle Gomez, and Weston Mayor Margaret Brown.

“You know your cities. You know what your communities need,” Community Foundation President/CEO Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson said to the city leaders at the forum. “Our role is to be a partner, to bring resources, research and relationships. Thank you for helping us build a stronger Broward together.”

Broward County Mayors and other local leaders in attendance discussed shaping the Community Foundation of Broward's philanthropic strategy for Broward's cities, including how resources and partnerships can be deployed to address community needs. They learned more about ways philanthropy is making a positive impact across the county, such as creative philanthropic partnerships already underway in cities and transformative initiatives such as “Lead with Love,” a public art project bringing nine distinctive murals to nine Broward cities through 2027. Attendees also explored new research on the gender achievement gap and its implications for Broward.

Federal and state government cutbacks are affecting local programs that have long served local residents, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis said. More collaboration with the Community Foundation to bolster support for local nonprofits can help municipalities fill in the gaps, he said.

“The Community Foundation of Broward is the lifeblood to so many organizations that have been there, year after year,” the mayor said. “Philanthropy becomes that much more of a need.”

For more than 40 years, Broward’s population has doubled and is now larger than that of 13 states. The county is projected to grow to 2.3 million by 2030. The challenges and opportunities that come with rapid growth are more complex than ever before. The Community Foundation of Broward is honored to serve as Broward County’s philanthropic authority.

Presently, the Foundation shepherds 590 charitable funds. Over the past 40 years, it has provided nearly $215 million in support of student achievement, the arts, career readiness, seniors in need, environmental resilience, health care, mental health, affordable housing, disaster relief, nonprofit empowerment and much more. All grants are made possible by the dedicated fundholders who partner with the Foundation to create charitable funds to fuel their philanthropy.

For more information about the Community Foundation of Broward, please visit https://www.cfbroward.org/.