June Wise, a self-proclaimed free spirit who wasn’t shy to speak her mind, used to say she liked animals better than people.

Born in England, June went to boarding school at age 12, where she first found her voice and her independence. She said that’s where people started listening to her, and she never looked back.

June pursued a hotel career that took her to Canada, California, the Caribbean and Florida. She learned every part of the trade, from front desk to bartending, and even had a stint at Lago Mar right here in Fort Lauderdale.

She started a new entrepreneurial chapter in her life in Dania Beach, when she bought an Englishman’s antique inventory, opened her own store and had the clever idea to name it English Accent Antiques. “Where’s the one with the English accent?” customers would ask, and just like that, a brand was born. She even patented the name.

Throughout her adventurous life, June’s charitable giving helped animals and protected the environment. In 2016, she partnered with the Community Foundation of Broward to create The June Wise Fund, which established endowed, sustainable support for organizations that champion animals and the environment.

Through the years, grants from her fund have supported animal rescue, medical care, adoptions, advocating habitat protection and more. Today, her endowment supports 12 different animal rescue and welfare organizations and other nonprofits, ensuring that creatures without a voice, and the environment we share, will always have a champion.

June passed in 2024, leaving an estate gift that made her one of our Community Builders – visionaries with endowed charitable funds that reach $1 million or more. Year after year, grants made possible by June’s endowed gift will support her charitable passions. With the Community Foundation to safeguard and grow her endowed fund, June’s impact will never end.

“Her philanthropy and kindness and generosity are going to be felt for years to come. She was just a great, great person.” – Kim Kemper, June Wise’s trustee and friend

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.

To learn more about partnering with the Community Foundation to create bold impact that never ends, contact Vice President of Philanthropic Services Kelly Marmolat kmarmol@cfbroward.org or 954-761-9503.

‍