MIAMI – Philanthropy Miami© (PhilanthropyMiami.org) announced today that Deborah Hoffman, a longtime advocate known for her support of the arts and programs for women and girls, will be the recipient of the 2016 Community Champion Award at the 18th Donor Next Door Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 12 at Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, in Miami.
Hoffman has been organizing, creating and advancing the common good in Miami since she was a student at Miami Edison Senior High School. There are dozens of organizations in Miami-Dade County that have been touched by her leadership, expertise, and philanthropic support over the past 40 years.
“Debi is always looking out for Miami, always wanting us to shine and model other great ideas…seeking best practices and bringing them to Miami,” said Teresa Valdes-Fauli Weintraub, a co-chair of Philanthropy Miami. “She’s been a teacher, publicist, lawyer, and changemaker…all these things add up to a passion to make a difference in our community.”
Hoffman is best known for her time, efforts, and support to improve the quality of life for women and their families throughout Miami-Dade. But her interests are truly in helping the entire community. She successfully helped launch Funding Arts Network (FAN), a funding organization which has provided over $3.6 million to local visual and performing arts organizations in the past 20 years and ReServe South Florida, a nonprofit that matches professionals over 55 with organizations that need their expertise such as nonprofits, government agencies and public institutions. She also spends much time as a volunteer consultant, helping other local nonprofits with programming, materials, development and events.
A graduate of the University of Miami and University of Miami Law School, wife and a mother of four, Hoffman currently serves on the boards of the Perez Art Museum Miami, New World School of the Arts Foundation Board, and Funding Arts Network; is on the Visiting Committee of the UM College of Arts and Sciences; is president, Partners for Artisans; facilitates South Florida Association of Nonprofit Arts Funders; and is an active member of Women’s Fund; International Women’s Forum; National Council, Music Associates of Aspen; and National Council, Anderson Ranch Arts Center.
“The privilege of helping our community with its arts and social service needs is matched by the joy I’ve had working with like-minded Miamians, who share similar dedication and commitment and have reinforced my belief that anything can get done if caring and creative people band together with determination and perseverance,” Hoffman said.
Hoffman will be honored at the Donor Next Door Luncheon on Wednesday, May 12, along with The Miami Foundation’s 2016 Ruth Shack Leadership Award recipient. The luncheon will also celebrate the philanthropy of more than 35 individuals, families, foundations and corporations that donate time and money to support the work of nonprofits in the arts, education and social services among others.
Hoffman joins an elite list of previous Community Champion Award honorees: Baptist Health South Florida, David Lawrence, Jr., president of The Early Childhood Initiative Foundation, and Dr. Eduardo Padron, president of Miami Dade College. The Community Champion Award, was established in 2013 by Philanthropy Miami, formerly Leave A Legacy of Miami-Dade, and celebrates an individual or organization that contributes to the wellbeing of the community through its work and philanthropy.
About Philanthropy Miami
Philanthropy Miami, formerly LEAVE A LEGACY©, is a program of the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning of Miami-Dade, comprised of non-profit leaders and allied business professionals involved in estate and financial planning, whose mission is to inspire philanthropy in Miami. Visit PhilanthropyMiami.org.
