As a best-selling author who writes thrillers, page-turning nonfiction and inspiring children’s books, Brad Meltzer knows what makes a good hero.
And as a Fundholder along with his wife Cori at the Community Foundation of Broward, Brad also knows firsthand about the heroic, life-changing power of local philanthropy.
So, Brad was a natural choice to serve as the featured speaker at our 2021 Legacy Society celebration – honoring the BOLD, forward-thinkers whose estate gifts to the Community Foundation will transform the community they love.
We held this year’s heroes-themed celebration online so we could gather safely during the pandemic to say “thank you” to our visionary Legacy Society members. The virtual get-together also provided a unique opportunity to welcome Brad into our homes to hear insights about the heroes in his books along with his inspiring, hopeful message about the value of local philanthropy.
“You are doing the most amazing thing, which is focusing on those who come after you,” Brad told the Legacy Society. “Thank you for what you do with your legacy gifts and what you do for the Community Foundation.”
Legacy Society members’ estate gifts to the Community Foundation will create endowed charitable Funds that tackle Broward’s greatest challenges. Our Legacy Society started in 2000 with 19 members whose planned gifts totaled about $2 million. Now, we are proud to share that the Legacy Society includes 161 members who have committed almost $350 million in future gifts to help shape Broward’s future.
“This is truly a game-changing legacy for our community,” said Community Foundation President/CEO Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, Ph.D. – a new member of the Legacy Society. “Philanthropists really help drive and empower heroism in our community. While you all may not wear capes, you have really found a way to have BOLD impact.”
Estate gifts account for about half of the Community Foundation’s annual grantmaking. The BOLD impact of endowed giving can be seen today as support from charitable Funds at the Community Foundation help Broward residents face the pandemic. Thanks to our Fundholders with endowed Funds, the Community Foundation has provided more than $5.4 million in pandemic response to keep families in their homes, connect isolated seniors with loved ones, feed residents in need, provide PPE for front-line health care workers, lift up struggling students and much, much more.
The Foundation has been able to respond quickly and create BOLD impact during this crisis because of endowed charitable funds established by “people like you,” Community Foundation Board Chair James Donnelly said during the Legacy Society celebration.
“Thank you for stepping up,” said James, who is also a Legacy Society Member. “Thank you for your BOLD commitment to our community. We are just so grateful.”
With support from the Legacy Society and other philanthropists who step up for our community, the Community Foundation will be there to tackle Broward’s big challenges – during this crisis and beyond.
Welcoming The Newest Legacy Society Members
We are excited to welcome these new Legacy Society Members to our philanthropy family:
- Jerry Laskey
- Richard Grillo
- Jean and Tom Giordano
- Jonathan Allen
- David Behr
- Sandra Muvdi
- Ingrid and Brian Poulin
- Nancy and Bill Thies
- Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson and Peter Anderson
- And 2 other members who wish to remain anonymous
Thank You To Our Sponsors
Thank you to our dedicated sponsors for helping make this event so special:
- Presenting sponsor: BNY Mellon Wealth Management
- Supporting sponsor: Zimmerman and Associates, Attorneys at Law
Watch A Video Of The Event
For a limited time, Legacy Society Members, Fundholders and PAC members can request a link to watch this event in its entirety. Please email marketing@cfbroward.org to have the link sent to you directly.
For more information about the Legacy Society, contact Philanthropic Services Manager Jennifer Powers at jpowers@cfbroward.org or 954-761-9503.
