WHEN PEOPLE THINK OF MIAMI they think of the Beach, Yachts, Clubs, Music, Food etc. But Miami is just as well known for its philanthropy. One of the oldest Charities in Miami is The Miami Foundation, and DMTV sat down with their VP of Philanthropy Bruno Borges this week.
WHAT IS THE MIAMI FOUNDATION? The Miami Foundation builds the philanthropic, civic, and leadership backbone for Greater Miami. Founded in 1967, the Foundation has invested over $500 million to strengthen our community with partnerships and contributions from more than 1000 fundholders and 35,000 donors. The Miami Foundation, which currently manages over $427 million in assets, mobilizes donors, nonprofits, leaders, and locals to set a bold vision for our community’s future and to invest in a stronger, more equitable, more resilient Greater Miami.
We chatted with Bruno about the foundations current initiative, “JERSEY FOR MIAMI!” This is a #DefinitelyMiami mission! They have received signed authentic sports jerseys from all 5 major Miami sports teams, autographed by some of our favorite players to auction off. This effort rallies donors to support more than 1,000 local nonprofit organizations. Funds raised through “Jersey for Miami” will boost the overall dollar amount available to nonprofits that participate in Give Miami Day, on November 17, one of the nation’s biggest 24-hour giving events. The contest is simple: now through November 11, the pros root on the public to be champions and recruit donors to raise money through nine nonprofit categories– animal welfare, arts and culture, economic development, education and youth, environment, equity, faith-based services, health and wellness, and inclusion and community care. The top three fundraisers win a set of five signed jerseys, cash prizes up to $5,000, plus a Give Miami Day gift card to be used on that day so they can further support nonprofits.
WHO IS BRUNO BORGES? Bruno Borges is the Vice President of Philanthropy at The Miami Foundation. Hailing from Brasil, he came to the United States to earn an advanced degree at John Hopkins University and fell in love with the Washing DC/Baltimore area. While vacationing in Miami ten years ago with his wife, he decided to move to our sunny paradise and call it home! Prior to the Foundation, Bruno served for nearly 3 years as CEO of Techo-US and Chief Development Officer for Techo International, leading Techo’s global fundraising efforts to support the organization’s fight against poverty across 18 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Prior to TECHO, Bruno worked for 2.5 years as Chief Purpose Officer at Galapagos Media, a company focused on creating content combining purpose and entertainment to raise awareness about innovative ideas that are changing the world for good. Before Galapagos Media, Bruno spent a decade working as Global Director of Ashoka, the largest association of social entrepreneurs worldwide, with over 4,000 social entrepreneurs in more than 80 countries.
HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED? The Jersey for Miami campaign grows the dollars available to nonprofits in advance of Give Miami Day into an extra score for our Bonus Pool that will profit all participating organizations. The Miami Foundation will distribute these extra dollars to nonprofits throughout the event, giving them access to more cash than just what is donated on Give Miami Day. Participating professional players include Gabe Vincent, Miami Heat; JJ Bleday, Miami Marlins; Robert Taylor, Gregore de Magalhaes Silva, and Leonardo Campana, Inter Miami; Jaelan Phillips, Dophins; and Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers.
Details and registration are located at JerseyForMiami.org. Winners will be announced on Give Miami Day, November 17.
