Community Foundation of Broward Announces 3 New Community Builders Who Created Endowed Charitable Funds of $1 Million or More
+2 Community Foundation of Broward Announces 3 New Community Builders Who Created Endowed Charitable Funds of $1 Million or More
Community Foundation of Broward Announces 3 New Community Builders Who Created Endowed Charitable Funds of $1 Million or More
Community Foundation of Broward Announces 3 New Community Builders Who Created Endowed Charitable Funds of $1 Million or More
Community Foundation of Broward Announces 3 New Community Builders Who Created Endowed Charitable Funds of $1 Million or More
Community Foundation of Broward Announces 3 New Community Builders Who Created Endowed Charitable Funds of $1 Million or More
The Community Foundation of Broward is proud to announce three new “Community Builders” – local philanthropists who create endowed charitable funds of $1 million or more to shape a brighter future for Broward.
Lesley Mitchell Jones, Burnadette Norris-Weeks and Aaron Weeks and the late Dixie E. Wheeler are now among the 60 Community Builders who have partnered with the Community Foundation to transform and invigorate the community they love with endowed giving that ensures their impact never ends. Since the Foundation’s founding in 1984, Community Builder gifts have invested more than $150 million into support for student achievement, the arts, career readiness, seniors in need, equity and social justice, environmental resilience, health care, affordable housing, empowering nonprofits, mental health and much more.
The 2024 Community Builders were honored at the Foundation’s annual Community Builder Celebration, that took place at the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, Nov. 7. This year’s celebration also commemorated the Foundation’s 40th anniversary, highlighting the critical role Community Builders have played during the Foundation’s four decades of championing local philanthropy.
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 Broward. These dedicated individuals, families and community organizations fuel innovation and tackle Broward’s big challenges with grants – in their name or anonymously – from their endowed funds. By working with the Foundation for their philanthropy, Community Buildersamplify their impact today and create a legacy of community support that never ends. The principal of their endowment is invested and grows over time, providing a continuous and permanent source of support to tackle the community’s most pressing issues.
“We are honored to partner with Dixie E. Wheeler, Lesley Mitchell Jones and Burnadette Norris-Weeks and Aaron Weeks to tackle Broward’s growing challenges and support the community for future generations,” said the Community Foundation of Broward’s President and CEO Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, Ph.D. “These individuals have enlisted the Foundation, trusting that our expert team will shepherd and grow their funds to amplify their charitable impact for the community they love forever. We give them peace of mind and make their charitable giving easier and more strategic. We are proud to be part of their legacy and help them create a BOLD impact on the place we call home.”
Wheeler believed in offering a hand up to help others achieve success. Wheeler partnered with the Foundation to ensure that after she was gone, her support for empowering students would continue for generations to come. By joining the Legacy Society and committing to a future estate gift to the Foundation, Wheeler laid the groundwork for launching an endowed scholarship fund in her name. She gained peace of mind knowing that the Foundation’s team of experts would always be there to grow her endowed fund through careful investment and to make sure scholarships in her name go to deserving students. Her estate gift to the Community Foundation of Broward launched the endowed Dixie E. Wheeler Scholarship Fund, empowering generations of students to achieve success.
Guided by faith and determined to make a difference, Mitchell Jones gives back to lift up children and seniors. In 2014, Mitchell Jones partnered with the Foundation to help her be more strategic with her giving and to ensure her impact never ends. She established three endowed charitable funds: one dedicated to supporting organizations she cares about deeply, one to tackle pressing community challenges as they emerge and another to provide support for seniors in need. Now, Mitchell Jones is launching an exciting new chapter in her philanthropy by becoming a Community Builder and adding to her three endowed funds today and locking in future support through her estate plan. MitchellJones is investing in the Foundation’s ability to amplify her charitable impact for the community she loves.
The Burnadette Norris-Weeks and Aaron Weeks Foundation ensures permanent support for promoting racial justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. For generations to come, their endowed support will continue to empower women of color, make higher education more attainable and help dismantle barriers to future success. Underscoring her commitment to tackling Broward’s biggest challenges, Burnadette Norris-Weeks also serves on the Foundation’s board of directors.
For more information about becoming a Community Builder at the Community Foundation of Broward, please contact Kelly Marmol, vice president of philanthropic services, at kmarmol@cfbroward.org or 954-761-9503, ext. 155.
