New places to live. To learn a life-changing skill. To experience wildlife. To make a lifelong friend.
All across Broward, you can find examples of Mary N. Porter’s commitment to building a better future for the community she loved.
Even as a pandemic creates a crippling health and economic crisis, work continues on Mary’s bold vision for a better Broward.
That’s because the endowed Mary N. Porter Legacy Fund provides a dedicated source of support for construction, renovations and other major capital projects that make life better for Broward residents.
After years of dedicated local philanthropy, Mary wanted to create a charitable Fund that would specifically support building efforts for vital community programs, long after she was gone. Mary’s generous gift enabled the Community Foundation to become the only grantmaking organization in Broward with a dedicated source of support for capital projects. And to encourage more philanthropy in her community, Mary made it a challenge Fund – which means grants from her Fund have to be matched by other fundraising by the organizations her Fund supports.
On Mary’s behalf, the Community Foundation since 2013 has been finding projects that make the greatest community impact and carry on Mary’s name and legacy. Our team of philanthropy experts vets the projects vying for grants and collaborates with a special committee – which includes Board members and former Board members – to recommend the most impactful projects for approval. After our Board approves the grants, our team follows up to make sure grant recipients make the best use of Mary’s support.
Here’s an update on the current projects supported by the Mary N. Porter Legacy Fund:
- Habitat for Humanity of Broward - 18 families are on the path to Economic Independence since moving into this new neighborhood of 77 affordably priced homes under construction in Pompano Beach. A neighborhood reading garden dedicated to Mary opened in January.
- Flamingo Gardens – Support from Mary’s Fund will help rebuild the storm-damaged Learning Center, which hosts field trips and other community events. This center will honor Mary’s passion for education, her love for events and support Broward’s animals and environment.
- Arc Broward - Arc Broward’s new commercial kitchen is complete, with a grand opening and expanded culinary training program planned for the fall. Arc’s Culinary program – which helps people with special needs gain skills for employment – will launch new careers during this economic crisis and beyond.
- Navy League- The Navy League plans to break ground in the fall on the Sea Cadet Training Center. Mary’s support will ensure that the Sea Cadets get new facilities that help shape a brighter future for Broward’s youth.
The Mary N. Porter Legacy Fund is one of several charitable Funds Mary created at the Community Foundation to shape a brighter future for Broward. We are proud to be the stewards of Mary’s bold commitment to her community, which is made stronger by the enduring power of endowment.
To learn more about creating an endowed charitable Fund, contact Vice President of Philanthropic Services Nancy Thies at nthies@cfbroward.org or 954-761-9503.
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