Coral Gables Community Foundation

What Coral Gables Community Foundation does

Coral Gables Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) community foundation established in 1991 in Coral Gables, Florida. It manages more than $50M in assets and oversees 170+ Donor Advised Funds (DAFs), serving individual donors, families, corporations, students, and nonprofit organizations throughout the Greater Miami region. The foundation administers scholarships, community grants, and specialized cultural and educational programs (including the Mosaic Art Fund and Tristarr Lifelong Learning Fund), and operates signature fundraising events such as its Annual Gala (now in its 35th year), Vinos Wine Auction, and Tour of Kitchens.

The foundation runs on a lean 6-person operating team (President & CEO, CFO, Development Director, Marketing & Programs Manager, Finance Assistant, and Development & Marketing Coordinator) and relies on standard non-profit back-office platforms (FCSuite, GrantInterface, Constant Contact) for fund accounting, grant workflow, and donor communications — there is no proprietary technology stack. It holds a Charity Navigator Four-Star rating and a GuideStar Gold Seal of Transparency, indicative of recognized governance and reporting standards within the U.S. community-foundation sector.

Economically, the foundation operates as a tax-exempt charitable vehicle: it pools charitable contributions from donors, places them into DAFs and endowments, invests the corpus, and disburses grants and scholarships to qualified 501(c)(3) recipients and students. Its funding inflows come from individual and corporate donations, planned gifts, special-event proceeds (Gala, Vinos, Tour of Kitchens), and administrative fees on managed assets. Since 1991 it has deployed more than $30M into the community, and in 2025 awarded $7.7M in grants and scholarships, with a record $3.9M in scholarships to 246 students in 2026.

Name

Coral Gables Community Foundation

Legal name

Coral Gables Community Foundation

Website

https://gablesfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Coral Gables Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) community foundation established in 1991, managing $50M+ in assets across 170+ Donor Advised Funds and administering scholarships, community grants, and cultural-education programs for donors, students, and nonprofits in the Coral Gables, Florida region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Philanthropy and Charitable Fund Management

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) Sponsors (BPAGAKAF), Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC)

Keywords

• Donor advised funds
• Community philanthropy
• Charitable fund management
• Scholarship administration
• Community grant programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Coral Gables

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donor Contributions and Fundraising: The foundation receives charitable contributions from individuals, families, corporations, and organizations. Major events (Gala, Wine Auction, Tour of Kitchens) generate donations supporting scholarships and grants.
2. Administrative Fees on Managed Funds: Low annual administrative fee charged to fund holders for fund disbursements, tax reporting, record keeping, and fiduciary oversight of donor advised funds and endowments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Coral Gables Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that connects donors with charitable causes through Donor Advised Funds and other giving vehicles. It administers community grants to local nonprofits across education, arts & culture, social & health services, and historic preservation, and runs scholarship programs for Miami-Dade County students. Signature fundraising events (Annual Gala, Vinos Wine Auction, Tour of Kitchens) generate contributions that fund these programs.

Product overview

Coral Gables Community Foundation operates as a diversified philanthropic services organization offering charitable fund management, grant programs, and scholarship administration. Core products include Donor Advised Funds for personalized charitable giving and the Community Grants Program supporting local nonprofits. The Scholarship Program administers over 30 unique funds awarding millions annually to Miami-Dade students. Specialty grant programs include the Mosaic Art Fund for professional artists and the Tristarr Lifelong Learning Fund for adult education. Signature fundraising events (Annual Gala, Wine Auction, Tour of Kitchens) drive donations to support these programs. The Merrick Society and Rocks of the Community recognize major donors. The Foundation manages over 170 Donor Advised Funds with $50M+ in assets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Donor Advised Funds Tax-efficient charitable giving vehicle allowing donors to create personalized charitable funds at no cost to establish. Contributions are tax-deductible and grow tax-free while the Foundation handles administration, fiduciary oversight, tax reporting, and record keeping. Donors can recommend grants to nonprofits over time through a 24/7 web portal. Over 170 Donor Advised Funds are currently managed.
• Community Grants Program Annual grant program awarding $3,000 to $25,000 to nonprofit organizations serving Coral Gables and Miami-Dade County. Focus areas include Education, Arts & Culture, Social & Health Services, and Historic Preservation & Environment. Applications are submitted via the GrantInterface platform. In October 2025, $182,500 was awarded to 16 nonprofits and 118 applications were submitted in a recent cycle.
• Scholarship Program College scholarship program administering over 30 unique scholarship funds for high school seniors across Miami-Dade County. Awards range from $1,000 to $20,000. In May 2026 the program awarded $3.9 million to 246 students across 84 high schools, with total scholarships approaching $10M.
• Mosaic Art Fund Grant program for professional Miami-Dade artists supporting artistic exploration, supplies, exhibits, residencies, and professional development. Awards up to $10,000 (average $7,500) for visual arts disciplines including sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, installation, and digital art. 83 applications received in the 2026 cycle.
• Tristarr Lifelong Learning Fund Adult education grant program supporting nonprofit organizations offering career skills, citizenship, language, and cultural enrichment programs for students age 25+ in Miami-Dade County. Annual grant pool of $100,000 (as of 2026) funded by Lauren Jane Barnett's 10-year commitment.
• Annual Gala (La Dolce Notte) Signature annual black-tie fundraiser celebrating community leaders with Legacy Awards in Education, Philanthropy, Arts & Culture, and Community categories. Drives major donor engagement and corporate sponsorships that fund the foundation's scholarship and grant programs.
• Vinos at the Plaza Wine Auction Annual wine auction featuring exceptional wines from private collections with live entertainment, dinner stations, and spirits. Seventh annual event in 2026, presented by Coral Gables Trust, with Honorary Chairs Mayor Vince Lago and Olga Mari Lago, benefiting scholarship and grantmaking programs.
• Tour of Kitchens & Tropical Living Self-guided tour through Coral Gables' private homes and kitchens combined with food and beverage tastings from local restaurants. 18th annual event in 2027 benefits the Culinary Arts Program at Coral Gables Senior High School.
• Merrick Society Elite giving circle requiring annual contributions of $2,000 or more, enabling the Foundation to award college scholarships to economically disadvantaged students and administer grants supporting charitable organizations.
• Rocks of the Community Lifetime donor recognition program for contributors of $100,000 or more, acknowledging top-tier philanthropists including the Anthony R. Abraham Foundation and other major donors.

Quantifiable outcome

• $3.9 million in scholarships awarded to 246 students in May 2026
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Amerant BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing banking services and event sponsorship support to the foundation's programs and events.
• Baptist HealthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare corporate partner supporting foundation events and community giving programs.
• Coral Gables TrustcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLead partner for the Vinos Wine Auction, providing significant sponsorship and co-branding for the annual wine auction event.
• Evensky & Katz/ Foldes Wealth ManagementcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWealth management firm whose principals serve on the foundation board and provide planned giving expertise and donor referrals.
• MG DeveloperminorGTM or Marketing PartnerReal estate development company supporting foundation events and programs.
• MosaicistminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFounded by Ray Corral, who established the Mosaic Art Fund at the foundation. Present as Tour of Kitchens presenter.
• Mercedes-Benz of Coral GablesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAutomotive dealer providing event sponsorship support.
• RyderminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting foundation programs and events.
• The Plaza Coral GablesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMixed-use development venue partner for foundation events and programs.
• Williamson CadillacminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAutomotive dealer providing event sponsorship support.
• City of Coral GablescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity government partner for community initiatives including Umbrella Sky Project and Moon Over The Gables public art installations.
• Florida Philanthropic NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide philanthropic network membership providing best practices and peer connections.
• Council on FoundationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational membership organization for foundations providing resources and advocacy.
• University of MiamiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for scholarship presentations and Lowe Art Museum events; hosts scholarship reception annually.
• The Bermont GroupcoreOthersCoral Gables-based investment firm managing the foundation's investment portfolio under Board-approved Investment Policy.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Community Foundation of Collier County: Naples-area community foundation providing donor advised funds, scholarships, and competitive grants to local nonprofits. Directly comparable community foundation serving a wealthy Florida submarket.
• Gulf Coast Community Foundation: Southwest Florida community foundation managing donor advised funds and regional grantmaking. Comparable community foundation model with regional Florida focus and similar AUM tier.
• The Miami Foundation: Greater Miami's flagship community foundation managing hundreds of donor advised funds and granting tens of millions annually across Miami-Dade. Most direct comparable in geography, structure, and donor advised fund business model.
• Community Foundation of Broward: Broward County community foundation offering donor advised funds, scholarships, and competitive grant cycles for local nonprofits. Directly comparable size, scope, and South Florida market positioning.
• Community Foundation of Sarasota County: Sarasota-based community foundation offering donor advised funds, scholarship programs, and community grants. Similar mid-sized Florida community foundation with comparable DAF and scholarship business lines.

Broad incumbents

• National Philanthropic Trust: Independent national donor advised fund sponsor managing billions in charitable assets. Represents an alternative DAF vehicle for high-net-worth donors who might otherwise establish funds at community foundations.
• Fidelity Charitable: The largest national donor advised fund sponsor with tens of billions in assets and a sophisticated digital platform. Broad incumbent competing for the same DAF dollars as CGCF, especially from tech-forward and lower-fee-sensitive donors.
• Schwab Charitable: National donor advised fund sponsor affiliated with Charles Schwab, offering low-cost DAFs at scale. Competes with CGCF for affluent donors seeking digital-first, low-fee charitable vehicles versus local community foundation relationships.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/gablesfoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/coralgablescommunityfoundation

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Coral Gables Community Foundation