At a time when non-profit organizations are struggling to maintain the important services they deliver throughout the community, the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation has opened up a major funding opportunity for health and healthcare programs that help citizens in need across Miami-Dade County.
With grants up to $50,000 each, the foundation seeks to achieve community impact by selecting from among all qualified tax-exempt 501(c) (3) organizations conducting grass-roots work that improves, preserves, or restores the health and healthcare of local-area residents. The grant application process extends through April 15.
“The Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation has been responding to identified community needs since 1992,” said Aldo C. Busot, Chairman of the Coral Gables-based nonprofit foundation. “Looking back at our nearly 20 years as a giving institution, our board is so appreciative of the work that’s been done by past grant recipients throughout the community. It is truly inspiring, and we remain committed to sustaining our support in meeting the needs of our local community-based organizations.”
Busot is a senior vice president and financial advisor with Busot Group at Morgan Stanley in Coral Gables, and a graduate of the University of Miami.
By the Numbers
From its earliest days, the foundation has served the immediate needs of both children and adults – and has successfully done so by awarding 487 grants to hundreds of community-based organizations over the years.
According to Charles Dunn, M.D., a long-established family medicine practitioner in Coral Gables and Chairman of the Community Grants Committee, “The Community Grants program is the mainstay of the foundation. The local community partners that receive our funding are providing much-needed services and contribute to the well-being of our community.”
Legacy Grants
The Coral Gables Women’s Club is one of hundreds of local organizations qualified to receive foundation funding each year. As one of the foundation’s “Legacy Grant” recipients for more than 20 years, its Children’s Dental Clinic provides crucial dental-care services for disadvantaged school-age children whose parents cannot afford costly dental care.
Legacy Grant recipient also include: Good Hope Equestrian Training Center, Hearing Research Institute, Miami Lighthouse for the Blind & Visually Impaired, NOVA Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, Open Door Health Center, United Community Options of South Florida Affiliated with United Cerebral Palsy, and Wounded Veterans Relief Fund.
Additional Grant Recipients
Recent grant award recipients also include: Caring for Miami, Children’s Bereavement Center, Epilepsy Florida, Iam ABLE, SSJ Health Foundation – St. John Bosco Clinic, Sundari Foundation/Lotus House Women’s Center, Whispering Manes Therapeutic Riding Center, among many others.
Signature Initiatives
In addition to community grants, the foundation also has undertaken three “Signature” initiatives in conjunction with UM’s Miller School of Medicine. These are: the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation School Health Initiative with the Department of Pediatrics; the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics; and the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute (BioNIUM).
According to the Foundation’s Managing Director John Edward Smith, “Since its inception as a grant-making institution, this foundation has invested some $50 million into our community. These grants serve as recognition of the commendable work that so many community-based organizations perform across the county to improve the quality of life for our citizens.”
Funding Priorities
The Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation is accepting letters of inquiry for the 2021-22 grant cycle now through April 15, 2021. Funding priorities include:
● Projects that target direct medical care;
● Health…