Community Foundation of Broward Celebrated 2026 Legacy Society Luncheon
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The Community Foundation of Broward celebrated the champions of Broward at its 2026 Legacy Society Luncheon on Feb. 25, at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale.
The annual event honors the Community Foundation of Broward’s Legacy Society members, visionaries who believe in the power of endowment to change lives and transform the community they call home. By including the Community Foundation of Broward in their estate plans, they create a legacy of BOLD impact that spans generations and defines Broward’s future.
This year’s luncheon also celebrated the Florida Panthers’ recent Stanley Cup championships and the United States National Men's Hockey Team gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, using the teams’ legacy of leadership and perseverance as inspiration for legacy-building philanthropy.
Community leaders, philanthropists and professional advisors from across South Florida cheered on the Community Foundation of Broward’s Legacy Society members, alongside appearances by the Florida Panthers Dance Team and official mascots Stanley C. Panther and Viktor E. Ratt, and Florida Panthers alumni Serge Payer, Jamie Allison, Anders Eriksson and Peter Worrell.
Guests heard anecdotes from John Colombo, vice president of the Florida Panthers Foundation and community relations. In his role, Colombo oversees the Foundation’s fundraising efforts and the team’s grassroots outreach initiatives, including youth programs that have introduced more than 100,000 children across South Florida to the sport of hockey. His work focuses on expanding access, building opportunity and strengthening communities, aligning closely with the Community Foundation of Broward’s mission to create lasting impact through endowment and philanthropy. Guests heard the story many don’t know about the team – the story of their commitment to community impact and supporting the community the team calls home. During his remarks, Colombo also recognized the Panthers alumni in attendance for their continued dedication to community engagement long after their time on the ice.
Guests experienced a blessing from Community Foundation of Broward Vice President, Community Impact, Sheri Brown Grosvenor. Community Foundation of Broward, President/CEO Jennifer O'Flannery Anderson, Ph.D., 2026 Board of Directors Chair Jonathan K. Allen and TD Bank Senior Vice President, Regional Vice President Jennifer Starkey also shared remarks.
Throughout the venue, guests enjoyed interactive photo opportunities, including a coordinated foam finger group photo moment tied to the Foundation’s “Lead With Love” initiative, a large-scale Lead With Love visual installation and a replica Stanley Cup display.
The Community Foundation of Broward spotlighted nonprofit partners that reflect its commitment to strengthening the community. The Humane Society of Broward County, a longtime community partner, was present with a selection of pets available for adoption, highlighting the Foundation’s support of organizations that enhance quality of life across Broward County.
Through its longstanding relationship with Arc Broward, another valued nonprofit partner, guests went home with edible party favors crafted by Sofia Fuentes, the winner of Arc Culinary’s 2024 Mary N. Porter Student Chef of the Year award. Personalized sweet treats prepared by Arc Broward were placed at each setting, further showcasing the real-world culinary training made possible through philanthropic investment. Arc Culinary gives life-defining opportunities to students with disabilities by offering real-world experience in the culinary arts to use for a lifetime, demonstrating the Foundation’s dedication to expanding opportunity and inclusion throughout the community.
The Legacy Society was started in 2000 with just 19 members and gift commitments totaling $2 million. Today, the Legacy Society is nearly 190 members strong with nearly $500 million in promises. When members of the Foundation’s Legacy Society pass away, the gifts they promised during their lifetime—often through their wills or estate plans—are realized. These gifts are then used to create permanent charitable funds in their names. Each fund reflects the causes they cared about most: whether it’s education, the environment, the arts, or helping those in need. These endowed funds don’t get spent all at once. Instead, they’re carefully invested, and the earnings are used to make grants year after year.
It means that long after a donor is gone, their generosity continues—supporting the issues they loved and making a difference in the community, forever. It's not just a donation. It’s a never-ending gift. A true legacy of love, commitment, and impact.
“Our Legacy Society members are true champions of Broward, not because they seek recognition, but because they lead with love. They are choosing to invest in this community long beyond their lifetimes, ensuring that the causes they care about continue to thrive,” said Community Foundation President/CEO Jennifer O'Flannery Anderson, Ph.D. “We are deeply honored to steward their gifts with integrity and purpose, so their love for Broward becomes opportunity, hope, and lasting impact for generations to come.”
Presently, the Foundation shepherds 590 charitable funds, and over 40 years, it has provided nearly $215 million in support of student achievement, the arts, career readiness, seniors in need, environmental resilience, health care, mental health, affordable housing, disaster relief, nonprofit empowerment and much more. All grants are made possible by the dedicated fundholders who partner with the Foundation to create charitable funds to fuel their philanthropy.
The 2026 Board of Directors Officers include Chair Jonathan K. Allen, Vice Chair Burnadette Norris-Weeks, Secretary Eric J. Vainder, Treasurer Bertha Henry, Member At-Large Ramona Lacy Fowler, and Member At-Large Trevor Fried. Board of Directors members Anita Byer, Monifa Hall, Cindy Mason, and Andrew Wurtele. Additional board members are Holly Hudson Bodenweber, Ted Christie, Marianela “Nela” Collado (Professional Advisors Council Chair), Aurelio Fernandez, Alice Lucia Jackson, Ken Kappner, Greg Medalie, Sigrid McCawley, Pam Pettis, Mona Pittenger (Immediate Past Chair), Brian Poulin and John Templeton.
The 2026 Legacy Society Presenting Sponsor was TD Bank, the Lunch Sponsor was Holy Cross Health, the Silver Valet Sponsor was Zimmerman & Associates, and the Silver Gift Sponsor is Bessemer Trust.