December 2019 Community Foundation Newsletter
Dear Foundation Friend,
 
The Coral Gables Community Foundation is proud to celebrate 28 years of successful philanthropy in the City Beautiful! During this season of celebration and reflection, we are thankful for all you do throughout the year.
 
As 2019 comes to a close, we are proud of our achievements this year including awarding grants to more than 60 deserving non-profit organizations with an impact in Coral Gables; managing 9 scholarship programs and awarding over $130,000 in college scholarships to deserving and financially disadvantaged students from Coral Gables High School; celebrating London Calling: The Biltmore Ball to benefit the Coral Gables Community Foundation in October and our signature Tour of Kitchens event, which led over 700 guests through Coral Gables’ most beautiful kitchens and homes.
 
With the holiday season upon us, we are pleased to offer the following creative ways to complete your year-end charitable giving through YOUR Coral Gables Community Foundation: 
 
Complete your gift by December 31st
A contribution made by check to the Coral Gables Community Foundation is complete when mailed (postmarked), even if not cashed until the following year. Gifts by credit card are complete when your credit card account is charged. Donate Here
  
Become a Merrick Society Member
For less than $85 a month, you can create a philanthropic legacy for your community and support the causes you care about most. Engaging and improving our community, the three-year commitment made by Merrick Society donors is a vital part of the Foundation's work. Merrick Society donors are invited to the annual benefactor reception and other special invitation-only Foundation functions throughout the year and become a member of a distinguished group comprised of long-time Coral Gables leaders. Members are recognized by name throughout the year in the Foundation’s monthly newsletters, website and marketing materials. They also receive a lapel pin and windshield sticker in recognition of their participation and vision.  Join today!
 
Establish a Donor Advised Fund at the Community Foundation
With a Donor-Advised Fund, you have an ongoing involvement in the use of your gift. You can work with our staff to identify ways of using your Donor-Advised Fund to address the issues and needs you care about most. Your Fund may be established in your name, or in the name of your family, organization, or anyone you wish to honor.
More information here.
 
Wishing you Happy Holidays and Best for 2020!
Join us on Saturday, February 8th for the best Tour in
town: The 11th Annual Tour of Kitchens! Now for an eleventh year, “Tourists” will be inspired as they visit Coral Gables’ most exquisite private residence kitchens, indulge in gourmet samplings and desserts from the City’s best restaurants and shop home goods from local merchants.
Cooking up a storm at Coral Gables High School
New ovens were recently installed in the culinary classroom at Coral Gables Senior High. The donation was made possible by proceeds from the A Taste of Coral Gables cookbook launch and our friends at the City of Coral Gables. Congratulations to instructor Chef Mercy Vera and her Culinary Arts students.
Friends & Neighbors: Foundation and Fire Department deliver Christmas trees to residents
On December 4 th , the Coral Gables Community Foundation and the Coral Gables Fire Department delivered Christmas trees to families in the MacFarlane Homestead and Golden Gate neighborhoods. Now, these Gables residents can celebrate the holidays with their very own trees to decorate and enjoy! 
Foundation holds annual Holiday Party
The Coral Gables Community Foundation held its annual holiday party on December 11th at the beautiful home of Foundation Chair Emeritus, Bill Bonn and Ruben Ceballos.

Over 100 of Coral Gables' most generous community leaders attended this special holiday celebration. The Coral Gables Community Foundation would like to thank all of its supporters for their friendship this holiday season. 
John O'Rourke and Michael Walsh named 2019 Board Members of the Year!

The Foundation is proud to announce that John O'Rourke and Michael Walsh have been named 2019 Board Members of the Year. John O’Rourke has served on the Foundation Board for many years, serving as the first Chair of the Community Giving Committee and as Chairman of the Board in 2016-2017. John is a Vice President of Private Banking and Wealth Advisor at First American Bank in Coral Gables. Michael Walsh currently serves as the Treasurer of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. For the past two years, Michael and his firm, Evensky & Katz/Foldes Financial, have hosted the Foundation’s annual wine auction. Originally from New Jersey, Michael is a Senior Financial Advisor at the firm.
 
Michael and John are pictured here at the annual Foundation Holiday party with Mary Snow, Executive Director, Laura Russo Chair-Elect and Jack Lowell, 2018-2019 Chairman.
Don & Jeannett Slesnick contribute $73,000 to their Slesnick Family Endowment Fund
The Coral Gables Community Foundation is pleased to announce a $73,000 contribution generously made by Don & Jeannett Slesnick to the Slesnick Family Endowment Fund.
 
"We are dedicated to supporting deserving causes and organizations in an effort to help ensure that South Florida remains an inclusive, caring and livable community for generations to come," said Don and Jeannett (in unison). "We are grateful that God has been generous to us; thereby making it possible for us to share, as we are able, a portion of our “treasure” through the Slesnick Family Endowment, a donor-advised fund maintained by the Coral Gables Community Foundation.”

We enjoy supporting the Slesnick Family’s charitable giving in the community. Thank you, Don and Jeannett!
Mark your Memories with the Commemorative Bench Program
In partnership with the City of Coral Gables, the Coral Gables Community Foundation launched the Commemorative Bench Program in 2016. Families and friends from around the community have placed benches in Coral Gables' beautiful parks to honor memories, milestones and loved ones. This is a collection of the stories behind the benches, Benchstories.



Create your Legacy Today with the Merrick Society
George Merrick's vision for better living continues today as involved Coral Gables stakeholders strive to maintain the look and feel of the City Beautiful.

The Coral Gables Community Foundation established the Merrick Society so that visionary people can continue George Merrick's dream. The Merrick Society preserves key philanthropic activities in the Gables and raises unrestricted funds for the Foundation.
 
This exclusive group commits to a three-year annual contribution of $1,000, $2,500, $5,000, or $10,000. To find out more, please contact our Executive Director, Mary Snow, at 305.446.9670, or via email at  mary@gablesfoundation.org .