Health Foundation of South Florida

09/24/2025

We’re encouraged to see this Miami Herald editorial shine a light on the urgent importance of sustaining the work of the Circle of Brotherhood, whose violence-prevention and community safety efforts are vital for Miami.

While the piece focused on the Circle’s impact, behind the scenes, the Health Foundation of South Florida was proud to provide $100,000 in emergency funding—matched by the Community Based Public Safety Collective—to ensure these life-changing programs could continue without interruption.

This is what true community partnership looks like: coming together quickly to protect the well-being and safety of our neighborhoods. We’re honored to stand alongside the Circle of Brotherhood, led by Brother Lyle Muhammad, as we continue advancing health equity through community-driven solutions.
Read the editorial here:

https://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/article311958562.html

These neighborhoods may offer a model for addressing gun violence, a new report shows. | Editorial

09/19/2025

We are proud to celebrate our Chief Financial Officer, Alecia Dillon, who will be honored in October with the 2025 Graduate of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D.) Alumni Award from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.

The G.O.L.D. Award recognizes recent alumni who exemplify excellence through professional achievements, leadership, and service to their communities.

Since joining the Health Foundation of South Florida in 2021, Alecia has led with vision—overseeing all financial functions, strengthening our capacity for impact, and bringing deep expertise to advance our mission of health equity. Beyond her professional role, she is also committed to global equity through her service on the board of I Demand Access, which works to empower women in Malawi.

Please join us in congratulating Alecia on this prestigious recognition. We are inspired by her leadership and proud to see her honored by her alma mater! Read more about the award here.
https://hfsf.org/university-of-michigan-honors-health-foundation-of-south-florida-cfo-alecia-dillon-with-prestigious-graduate-of-the-last-decade-award/

09/17/2025

As part of the Take Your Loved One to the Doctor campaign, powered by the Health Foundation of South Florida, we brought the conversation straight to the heart of the community—a local barbershop in Overtown.

This recent Barbershop Talk, featured real talk, real stories, and real solutions. Trusted voices from the neighborhood came together to discuss the importance of preventive care and early screenings—especially for prostate cancer—and how Black men can take charge of their health and well-being.

Watch here- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-DHQtJMFXY

Take the pledge today to prioritize your health or encourage a loved one to do the same at myhealthpledge.org. Every action counts toward building a healthier, more equitable future.

Florida #

09/17/2025

Since 1993, the Health Foundation of South Florida (HFSF) has been committed to one clear mission: advancing health equity and creating a healthier, more just South Florida.

We’re proud to share our new institutional video, which captures our origins, vision, and the transformative work happening across our region.
Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODLvMLCygYc&t=72s

In it, you’ll hear from our leaders and partners about:
✅ Our journey from inception to becoming the region’s largest philanthropic organization
focused entirely on health equity.
✅ How we’re addressing South Florida’s most pressing health challenges — from access
to care to housing and economic opportunity.
✅ The power of collaboration through initiatives like the South Florida Anchor Alliance
and the Black Health Summit, shaping systemic change.
✅ Why advancing health equity is at the heart of everything we do — ensuring that every

person, regardless of background, has the opportunity to thrive.
As our President and CEO, Loreen Chant, reminds us, “This work cannot be done alone—it requires collaboration and the collective will to make a difference.”
We invite you to watch, share, and join us in building a future where every South Floridian has the opportunity for well-being.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

09/11/2025

Throwback Thursday. In 2023, the Health Foundation of South Florida’s Black Health Summit brought together leaders, advocates, and community voices to elevate the conversation on health equity. Among the highlights were powerful presentations from Nancy Ancrum, Editorial Page Editor of the Miami Herald, and Linda Villarosa, award-winning journalist and author.

Together, they offered compelling insights into how storytelling and journalism can uncover inequities, amplify community voices, and inspire action toward healthier futures. Their perspectives continue to remind us of the importance of truth-telling and advocacy in building more just and equitable health systems.

As we look ahead to the next Black Health Summit, we remain committed to carrying forward the lessons of 2023—and beyond. Mark your calendars: the next Black Health Summit is slated for June 16, 2026, at the Charles F. Dodge City Center in Pembroke Pines, FL. Stay tuned! To learn more about Black Health Summit in Action | Health Foundation of South Florida

09/11/2025

While the 2025 Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s NOVO Award winners have been announced, we’re taking a moment to celebrate our very own Barbara Fonte, Board Chair of the Health Foundation of South Florida, who was proudly named a finalist for this year’s award.

Barbara’s leadership, passion, and unwavering dedication to health equity have made a lasting impact not only within our organization—but across the entire South Florida community. Being named a finalist among such an esteemed group of changemakers is a powerful recognition in itself.

Please join us in recognizing Barbara and all the remarkable finalists who are moving South Florida forward through service, vision, and impact.

09/09/2025

Last week, Commissioner Keon Hardemon presented a proclamation in recognition of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, underscoring the importance of early detection and screening in saving lives.

The Health Foundation of South Florida remains committed to advancing health equity—working alongside champions like Lauderhill Commissioner Melissa P. Dunn, whose leadership has been central to the Take Your Loved One to the Doctor campaign. We are also grateful to representatives from the Mayor’s Office and fellow commissioners for joining us in lifting up this critical message.

Together, we are calling on 250 men in Overtown to take the pledge, schedule their checkups, and put their health first. Early detection saves lives, and preventive care can make all the difference.

Take the pledge today at myhealthpledge.org. Your health is your wealth—don’t wait until it’s too late.

09/04/2025

Throwing it back to June 2022, when we hosted the inaugural Black Health Summit at Florida Memorial University. Our keynote speaker, Reed Tuckson, MD MD, delivered an unforgettable address that still resonates today.

Dr. Tuckson emphasized that our nation is ready and motivated to improve the status of Black health. He named the historically unjust social and economic conditions at the root of health inequities—calling on all of us to confront systemic barriers that worsen health and mortality among Black Americans. Most importantly, he laid out 10 key action steps to address disparities and move toward true health equity.

Read Dr. Tuckson’s 10 key action steps here:https://hfsf.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/BHS_Summary_Report_FINAL_ADA.pdf

Mark your calendars: the next Black Health Summit is slated for June 16, 2026, at the Charles F. Dodge City Center in Pembroke Pines, FL. Stay tuned! To learn more about Black Health Summit in Action | Health Foundation of South Florida, click here: https://hfsf.org/black-health-summit-in-action/

08/29/2025

Our CFO, Alecia Dillon, CPA, MBA, joined the CIO Roundtable: Navigating Through Volatile Economic and Market Conditions—presented by Koried—to share how the Health Foundation of South Florida navigates today’s complex markets while staying anchored in mission.

Her key takeaways:

✅ Anchor in Mission During Uncertainty – Clarity of purpose supports disciplined allocation and helps stakeholders evaluate opportunities on resilience and alignment, not just returns.

✅ Dynamic Risk Management – Scenario-based planning, incorporating geopolitical and climate risks with financial stress testing, strengthens preparedness for extreme events.

✅ Capital Preservation ≠ Inactivity – Agile deployment seeks resilient sectors like infrastructure and digital security, focusing on diversification, cash-flowing assets, and optionality over prediction.

The CIO Roundtable gathered investment leaders to share strategies for managing risk, preserving capital, and uncovering opportunities in a rapidly changing world.

Alecia’s perspective reflects our core belief: aligning capital with mission not only strengthens our portfolio—it creates lasting impact in the communities we serve.

08/28/2025

Philanthropy Miami has created an Advocacy Toolkit to support efforts to restore funding for Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) in the upcoming Miami-Dade budget. These organizations provide essential services across our community, and their continued support is vital.

We’re encouraged to see progress being made in the most recent proposal from Mayor Daniella Levine Cava—and we add our voice in support of ensuring strong, sustainable funding for CBOs.

Grateful to Fernanda Jorgensen, MPH, Executive Director of Philanthropy Miami , for championing this important effort.

View the Toolkit & Take Action- https://lnkd.in/eh4DYG9x

08/21/2025

Protecting Access to Care for our Communities. At the Health Foundation of South Florida, we know that Medicaid is more than a program—it’s a lifeline. It ensures children, families, seniors, and those with disabilities receive the care they need, while strengthening hospitals and providers who serve on the frontlines of community health.

We stand with the American Hospital Association (AHA) in highlighting the importance of Medicaid and protecting access to quality care. The AHA has developed fact sheets, toolkits, and resources that clearly show how Medicaid supports hospitals, rural health providers, and communities across the country.

We encourage our partners, grantees, and community leaders to explore these resources and help raise awareness of what’s at stake. Together, we can protect care for millions and ensure that our communities remain strong, healthy, and resilient.

The AHA today hosted an in-person and virtual Advocacy Day for more than 250 members to hear the latest details of the budget reconciliation bill making its way through Congress. Meanwhile, AHA members across the country are reaching out to their lawmakers this week, both in Washington, D.C., and in...

08/20/2025

Earlier this month, our very own Any Karina Balza, Grants Management and Operations Lead, took the stage at akoyaGO’s EMPOWERED 2025 Conference in Detroit—joining foundation professionals from across the country for a powerful exchange of ideas, tools, and innovation.

During the session “Understanding a Multi-Phase Application Process in GOapply,” Any shared how the Health Foundation of South Florida approaches grantmaking with intention, clarity, and collaboration. Her insights highlighted the value of designing processes that truly work for both funders and grantees.

GOapply brings this vision to life, helping us build a seamless, step-by-step process where each phase builds on the last.

We’re proud to have been invited to share our approach—and even prouder of Any and all that she brings to our team every day.

Learn more about EMPOWERED 2025 here: https://lnkd.in/g2JY9bbN