Our Fund Foundation Announces 2026 South Florida LGBTQ Philanthropy Awards in Fort Lauderdale
- camilarosiaz
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Our Fund Foundation will present its seventh annual South Florida LGBTQ Philanthropy Awards on Saturday, February 7, at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale. The event, presented by Bank of America Private Bank, recognizes leaders whose philanthropy, volunteerism, and advocacy have had a lasting impact on South Florida’s LGBTQ community.
The evening begins with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m. in the lower courtyard, followed by the awards ceremony in the Mary Porter Riverview Ballroom. The annual gathering brings together nonprofit leaders, donors, and community members to highlight both long-standing and emerging contributions to LGBTQ causes across the region.
Don Croxton
The 2026 honorees include three recipients named Philanthropists of the Year: Don Croxton, Russell Vance, and Peter Zimmer. Each has played a sustained role in strengthening LGBTQ organizations and cultural institutions in South Florida, with their philanthropic commitments expanding significantly in recent years.
Russel Vance
Croxton has been a longtime supporter of LGBTQ arts and community organizations, including the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida, continuing a legacy he shared with his late husband, Doug Pew. Vance, a pioneer in regional LGBTQ philanthropy, has increased his support for arts, culture, and equity-focused organizations following the passing of his husband, Eddie Schwartz. Zimmer, working through a donor-advised fund established with his late husband Jim Stepp, continues to support initiatives that foster care, culture, and community engagement, often through public giving events.
Peter Zimmer
The Commitment to a Cause Award will be presented to Karen Kelly, a South Florida realtor and Board Chair of the Stonewall Museum & Archives. Her leadership has focused on preserving LGBTQ history and amplifying community narratives, including immersive exhibits connected to the Stonewall uprising, while advocating for equality with a particular focus on lesbian and transgender women.
Karen Kelley
Jonathan Sanz will receive the Next Generation Philanthropy Award. As President of the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida, Sanz has expanded the organization’s artistic reach and community presence, helping position queer performance as a vital part of the region’s cultural landscape.
Jonathan Sanz
Tickets for the cocktail reception and awards ceremony are available through the Our Fund Foundation website.