Community Foundation of Broward Honors Six New $1 Million+ Endowments at2025 Community Builders Celebration
- Durée & Company
- 4 hours ago
- 4 min read
The Community Foundation of Broward hosted an unforgettable evening “under the sea” to honor its 2025 Community Builders, visionary philanthropists who partner with the Community Foundation to create endowed charitable funds of $1 million or more, that shape a brighter future for Broward.
Dev Motwani, Gary Wendt, Alice and Mike Jackson, Robert Taylor and Robin Taylor Fleming, June Wise, and the Little Owl Fund (created anonymously) are now among the 66 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. The 66 total Community Builders, whose collective gifts exceed $155 million, represent nearly half of the Community Foundation’s assets, which fuel the Foundation’s grantmaking to local nonprofits.
These dedicated individuals, families and community organizations support 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 Builders amplify their impact today and create a legacy of community support that never ends. Through the Community Foundation’s careful stewardship, the principal of their endowment is invested and grows over time, providing a continuous and permanent source of support that uplifts the community by championing charitable causes important to the Community Builders.
During the 2025 Community Builder celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at Pier Sixty-Six’s Aviva Ballroom and Lawn, South Florida’s top community leaders, philanthropists, and influencers were among the guests who joined the Community Foundation of Broward for an enchanting evening to recognize those who uplift, connect, and inspire – driving real change in Broward. Guests gathered for an evening featuring coastal-inspired décor and live entertainment. Attendees were welcomed with a steel drum band and enjoyed a special performance by Troy Anderson's Wonderful World Band. That included the song, “Lead with Love,” which was written by the Community Foundation of Broward’s Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Kirk Englehardt.
“It is an honor to celebrate the visionary philanthropists who choose to make waves that never stop,” said Community Foundation President/CEO Jennifer O'Flannery Anderson, Ph.D. “By working with the Foundation, our Community Builders amplify their impact today while creating a legacy that never ends. It’s not just smart giving; it’s giving that leads with love.”
Dev Motwani reshapes the skyline with developments that elevate the economy, and his philanthropy transforms lives and propels the community to new heights. Motwani is managing partner of his family’s real estate and investment firm, which began with the transformation of a local hotel where he lived as a child. To give back to the community he loves, Motwani empowers Broward College students to launch careers, and he champions the arts with support for the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The endowed Dev Motwani Charitable Fund at the Community Foundation of Broward ensures his support for the community never ends.
Gary Wendt shapes brighter futures with philanthropy that empowers others to achieve success. He supports college scholarships for students in his hometown of Rio, Wisconsin. Wendt is a longtime supporter of the Boys & Girls Clubs and started a nationwide initiative building college placement organizations for Native Americans who attend clubs on Native Lands. In Broward, Wendt invests in youth leadership initiatives, education advancement and training to help nonprofits thrive. To create endowed support for his charitable passions, Wendt partnered with the Community Foundation of Broward to shepherd the Wendt Family Scholarship Fund and the Valerie Ahneman and Gary C. Wendt Leadership Fund – named for Wendt’s longtime partner, Valerie.
Alice and Mike Jackson lead by example to lift up the community they love. They volunteer their time and dedicate their giving to causes and organizations that shape a brighter future. They support nonprofits that champion working families in need, early childhood education and cancer research. Their endowed Alice and Mike Jackson Family Fund at the Community Foundation of Broward ensures their community impact will never end. By partnering with the Community Foundation, their endowed grantmaking support for early education, the arts, cancer research and paying kindness and generosity forward will transform lives and enrich the community in perpetuity.
Robert Taylor and his sister Robin Taylor Fleming established the endowed Sherry Taylor Family Fund at the Community Foundation of Broward to honor their mother and ensure permanent support for Sheridan House Family Ministries. Sherry Taylor helped her husband, Bob, create a company that grew into Burdette Beckmann, Inc. (BBI) – one of the nation’s largest specialty sales agencies, where Robert later became CEO. Sherry also helped start Sheridan House in Davie, which helps children, single mothers and families in need. Through the Foundation’s stewardship, the fund celebrating Sherry’s memory will always be there to support counseling, residential care, aid for struggling mothers and other Sheridan House ministries.
June Wise, a self-proclaimed free spirit who wasn’t shy to speak her mind, used to say she liked animals better than people. Born in England, Wise pursued a hotel career that took her to Canada, the Caribbean and Florida, where she started an antiques business in Dania Beach. Throughout her adventurous life, Wise’s charitable giving helped animals and protected the environment. By partnering with the Community Foundation of Broward to create The June Wise Fund, she established endowed, sustainable support for organizations that champion animals and the environment. With the Foundation to shepherd her fund, Wise’s impact will never end.
The Little Owl Fund at the Community Foundation of Broward supports opportunities to make the world a better place. Year after year, grants from this endowed fund transform lives by improving housing, feeding the hungry and fighting addiction. It lifts the human spirit with ongoing investments in the arts and education. Through the Foundation’s stewardship, the fund will always be there to protect the environment with support for plants and animals. The Little Owl Fund honors the Joseph Uihlein family’s tradition of philanthropy and pays homage to the family name, which translates to “owl.” The Uihlein family established and owned the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company.