Community Foundation Marks 25th Anniversary on May 1; Launches ‘Major Match’ to Double Donor Gifts, Plans Gala Event

The Community Foundation of the Florida Keys (CFFK) hits a major milestone on May 1, commemorating 25 years of connecting people, resources and needs through philanthropy throughout the Keys. As part of its silver celebration this year, all donors who support the Community Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Fund will have an extraordinary opportunity to double the impact of their contributions to help the Keys’ future. A significant legacy gift from the late Dr. Patricia Major is launching the ‘Major Match’ Campaign to match all gifts to the permanent fund dollar-for-dollar, up to $500,000.

The bequest from Dr. Major, a physician who lived and worked in Key West for more than 40 years until she passed away in late 2018, will multiply donations to the 25th Anniversary Fund and ensure the future viability and stability of philanthropy in the Keys. In addition to the ‘Major Match’ campaign to mark the silver jubilee, the Community Foundation will host a special in-person Silver Anniversary Gala on December 2, 2021, at the Key West Marriot Beachside. Ticket information and other details of the festivities will be available soon.

“With the support of our generous donors and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to double their contributions through the Major Match, CFFK will become the bedrock of philanthropic resources for the Keys and able to support hundreds of nonprofits into the 22nd century,” said Will Langley, CFFK’s Vice Chair of Development.

Individuals can make contributions to the 25th Anniversary Fund and learn more at cffk.org/25.

The 25th Anniversary Fund will enable the Community Foundation to respond to community needs, be a robust donor in the Keys funding local nonprofits, assist in times of disaster through relief and recovery efforts, strengthen nonprofits through leadership and education, and provide community leadership and stability Keys-wide. Since 1996, CFFK has been working with donors to grant and invest more than $1 million annually to nonprofits throughout the Keys.

“The anniversary fund will move the Community Foundation toward sustainability over the next 25 years and beyond,” said Rosi Ware, CFFK’s Vice Chair of Marketing. “Dr. Pat would have been very honored to support nonprofits throughout the Keys and help our environment, arts, animals, health care, and so much more. There’s really no greater way to honor a person’s life than to continue the passions they cared so much about when they were living.”

Attorney Samuel Kaufman, the legal advisor who worked with Dr. Major to establish her estate plan, said, “Dr. Pat looked to CFFK because she wanted a reliable, capable, and strong organization to help carry out her charitable wishes.”

Donors can participate in several giving levels to the 25th Anniversary Fund, including the Harvey Founders Club, celebrating one of CFFK’s founders, Wilhelmina Harvey. A philanthropist and the first woman to serve as Mayor of the Monroe County Commission, Wilhelmina passed away in 2005. Contributions of $25,000 or more become members of the Harvey Founders Club and will receive tickets to the Silver Anniversary Gala on December 2 plus an additional private event.

Donors at the $5,000 level become members of the Block Founders Club, honoring CFFK founder and former Chair Ed Block, and also receive tickets to the silver soiree on December 2. Block, who was a passionate civic leader following a long career in public relations and advertising, passed away in 2016.

In addition to the Major legacy gift left to CFFK which will be used to match donations to its 25th Anniversary Fund, Dr. Major also bequeathed $1.3 million through the Community Foundation to provide annual grants to numerous nonprofits, including the Florida Keys Outreach Coalition, Florida Keys SPCA, Friends of the Key West Library, Key West Garden Club, Key West Orchid Society, and Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden.

Learn more at cffk.org/25.

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