Colin W. Brown has experienced the power of education firsthand. His mother was an educator and his father a diplomat – both of them committed to creating opportunities for others. It was through his own education and love for learning that doors opened for him.

Colin currently serves as chairman of the board for JM Family Enterprises, Inc., founded by Jim Moran. Having been with the family-owned business since 1992, 16 years of which he was CEO, he credits the company with providing him the wherewithal to give back.

Often recognized for his corporate and community leadership, Colin was named the 2015 Floridian of the Year by Florida Trend magazine for raising JM Family's minimum wage to $16 per hour. He has also been a member of the Broward Workshop since 2003, a forum of top business leaders that addresses critical issues facing Broward County. Additionally, Colin is chairman of the CEO Council of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, which attracts and retains businesses in Broward County.

Since 2005, Colin has served on United Way of Broward County's Board of Directors. Among his contributions is leading the creation of Mission United which helps veterans and their families acclimate back into civilian life. There are now 27 Mission United chapters throughout the nation. He is a longtime supporter of the Youth Automotive Training Center and served on its board of directors for over a decade. The tuition-free, nine-month training program educates disadvantaged youth in basic automotive repair, academic remediation, job readiness and life-management skills.

Colin paid tribute to his mother by establishing a memorial fund in her name at the Broward Performing Arts Foundation. This permanent fund helps ensure the success and sustainability of education initiatives providing thousands of students each year with arts-based opportunities designed to help them achieve success in school and in life.

Colin is a supporter and champion of numerous local charitable organizations including, among others, the Boys & Girls Clubs, Habitat for Humanity and the Holocaust Documentation and Education Center.

Education and Broward County have been the longtime focus of Colin's efforts to build a stronger community. Rooted in the belief that education is fundamental to a successful future, the Colin W. Brown Fund will focus on helping to break the cycle of poverty through education and career readiness.

“Because I believe strongly in how education can open up opportunities, I have set my endowed fund’s focus at the Community Foundation of Broward on helping to break the cycle of poverty through education and career readiness. With the experience and expertise of the Foundation’s team, I know it will be spent wisely for decades to come.” – Colin W. Brown

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More About Our Community Builders

Community Builders are BOLD leaders who partner with the Community Foundation to establish endowed charitable Funds of $1 million or more to shape a brighter future for the community they love.

Through the power of endowment, the gifts from these individuals, families and local organizations fuel innovation and tackle Broward’s biggest issues today and forever.

Click here to learn more about all of our Community Builders.

How To Become A Community Builder

Thanks to the momentum of our BE BOLD Leadership Campaign, more visionary local philanthropists are stepping up to join the ranks of our Community Builders.

The BE BOLD Leadership Campaign sparks innovation, inspires new thinking and uses the power of endowment to create permanent resources that tackle Broward’s big challenges. With a one-time gift or a pledge to build your support over time, you can create an endowed charitable Fund and become a Community Builder who shapes a brighter future for Broward.

Click here to learn more about the BE BOLD Leadership Campaign.

To learn more about our Community Builders and the BE BOLD Leadership Campaign, contact Vice President of Philanthropic Services Kelly Marmol at kmarmol@cfbroward.org or 954-761-9503.

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