Pérez Family Foundation Has Donated Over $350 Million
The foundation released a new impact report highlighting long-term philanthropic investments in South Florida.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Cultural
Live Poll
Do you trust that large private donations effectively improve the cultural and civic life of your community?
The Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation has surpassed $350 million in total lifetime philanthropic contributions. The milestone was confirmed in an impact report released on September 23, 2026, during the Sunshine Economy Summit in Fort Lauderdale.
Why it matters
The foundation aims to transform South Florida into a more equitable cultural and civic hub. By functioning as a donor-advised fund, it seeks to establish a lasting family tradition of societal giving that supports local nonprofits.
The foundation has directed $280 million toward arts and culture, including $35 million for the Pérez Art Museum Miami. Additionally, it has invested $35 million in education, $21 million in health, and $7 million each into environment and economy.
The players
Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation
Established as a donor-advised fund in 2015, this organization serves as a major philanthropic vehicle for the Pérez family in South Florida.
Pérez Art Museum Miami
This museum was renamed in 2011 following a significant $35 million gift from the Pérez family.
The Miami Foundation
This organization hosts the donor-advised fund through which the Pérez family directs its charitable giving.
The details
Grantees under the CreARTE initiative have received $16 million across 56 organizations, which subsequently leveraged that funding into $22.7 million in additional support. These efforts have reached 900,000 people and provided microloans to 8,600 low-income women entrepreneurs.
Timeline
The family donated $35 million to rename the PAMM in 2011.
The Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation was established in 2015.
The CreARTE flagship initiative was launched in 2019.
The philanthropy report was released on September 23, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The foundation follows a pattern set by the IRS regulatory framework for donor-advised funds to manage its philanthropic output. This structure allows the family to consolidate diverse investments into a single, cohesive engine for regional social impact.
Local nonprofit organizations can access capacity-building support through programs like CreARTE to secure additional funding. Community members may benefit from the broad range of programs, including microloans and cultural events, supported by these investments.
The takeaway
Large-scale private philanthropy continues to play a central role in shaping the cultural infrastructure of South Florida. Implementing a focused, donor-advised model allows private families to leverage their capital to attract significant secondary funding for local nonprofits.
Further reading
For more on the regional impact of arts initiatives, see the latest updates on Cultural developments in Miami.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WLRN.
Live Poll
Do you trust that large private donations effectively improve the cultural and civic life of your community?
