Tuesday City Spotlight: Miami

A few things come to mind when day-dreaming about Miami, Florida. Brown skin, endless beaches, ostentatious cars, and of course, the year-round summer weather. While topping many lists for having the most perfect temperatures or housing the most beautiful women, raising the most funding for charities seems a little askew compared to Miami’s regular pattern. The fact is, as of April 22, 2010, Miami has now unseated its long time city-rival, San Diego for donating the most money to charity and does not plan stopping anytime soon. Researchers are finding that the spurt of investment into these varying non-profit foundations is a direct result of a progressing pattern within south Florida’s local economy. A massive part of the social life for locals and visitors in Miami are various fundraising galas and festivals. Literally every friday of every month plays host to a different party raising money for a different cause. In fact, Russell Simmon’s recent benefit gala for his philanthropic foundation, First Art For Life, raised over $575,000 in one night in Miami Beach alone! And who said there was a recession in the US...or at least in south Florida? This endless fundraising schedule in Miami can’t ever slow down as the city contains more than five hundred active charities who call the sunshine state their home. So as Miami expands its boundaries from cha-chas to charities, we at Brushfire enjoy basking in its fundraising glory, in addition to its sun. Have YOU helped save the world today?For more info visit: charitynavigator.org and socialmiami.com

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