Program fosters change, embraces people with developmental disabilities

Written by

FIU Embrace provides research-based holistic care, a wealth of resources and a strong support system for people with developmental disabilities and their families. –By Gisela Valencia for FIU Magazine Dr. Yolangel Hernandez Suarez was not able to see her son for months after the pandemic began.   A 28-year-old man who is on the autism […]

Meet the Ratcliffe Art + Design Incubator entrepreneurship fellows

Written by

–By Tatianna Basanta Three years ago, the College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts and the Philip E. and Carol R. Ratcliffe Foundation sought to give FIU art and design students the tools they needed to turn their ideas into profitable businesses – and thus the Ratcliffe Art + Design Incubator (RA+DI) was born. RA+DI recently received $2.5 million […]

FIU Foundation LinkedIn Series: Making Dreams a Reality Through the First Generation Scholarship Program

Written by

Joan Casanova Gonzalez is the executive director of the Development Office for Student Success at the FIU Foundation. In her role, she oversees development for the First Generation Scholarship Program, which provides support to undergraduate students at FIU who are among the first generation in their families to earn a college degree. An alumna of […]

FIU’s Ratcliffe Art + Design Incubator awarded $2.5 million to develop entrepreneurial leaders in the creative sector

Written by

–By Millie Acebal for FIU News FIU’s Ratcliffe Art + Design Incubator (RA+DI) has received a gift of $2.5 million from the Philip E. & Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation to develop diverse, entrepreneurial leaders in the creative sector and boost South Florida’s economy. This gift marks the third awarded to FIU’s RA+DI by the Philip E. & […]

Leaving a legacy: What endowments mean for donors and the university

Written by

–By Maria Rojas At FIU, we often say creating an endowment lets donors leave a legacy. But what does that really mean for a donor and for FIU?  An endowment is a safety net for FIU’s future, a way to ensure the impact of a contribution endures.   When donors initiate an endowment, their principal gift, a contribution of money or other financial assets, is invested. Though it may not start supporting university efforts for a few years (usually four to […]

Looking at the Next Horizon so far

Written by

Less than two years ago, FIU held a celebration to commemorate the public launch of the Next Horizon campaign. More than 1,200 alumni, students, faculty, donors and members of the community attended a showcase of FIU’s research, community programs and student success. That day has truly proven to be a launching point, based on the campaign’s trajectory since.  By the end of November […]

Foundation responds to immediate needs of FIU, the community during pandemic

Written by

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck and FIU announced its shift to remote learning and work in March, leaders of the FIU Foundation knew the university’s Next Horizon capital campaign would need to be placed on pause to address a more immediate need: Students, faculty and staff, and the surrounding community were suffering, and the Foundation […]

Philanthropy in times of crisis: Howard Lipman explains why philanthropy is needed now more than ever

Written by

Before his current role as CEO of the FIU Foundation and previous executive positions in university advancement, Howard Lipman served as the President and CEO of the Greater Miami and The Keys Chapter of the American Red Cross. In that position, he was tasked – among other things – with fundraising for disaster relief. This experience has provided him with a unique lens to view […]

FIU think tank provides research, resources during pandemic

Written by

Dr. Maria Ilcheva, Assistant Director of Planning and Operations
–By Maria Rojas FIU’s Jorge M. Pérez Metropolitan Center is leveraging its expertise as South Florida’s leading, urban think tank to help local governments and organizations understand the scope of the pandemic’s effect on at-risk communities. The center’s work is advancing the conversation about who is lacking resources, what can be done about it and […]