100 Years Of Giving
It may be difficult to imagine, but Boca Raton once was a small agricultural town with little in the ways of arts or culture. Though the city was incorporated in 1925, its population remained small until World War II when the arrival of a major Army Air Field brought thousands of people and laid the groundwork for future growth.
In the late 1940s, a small group of women formed the Boca Raton Christian and Civic Club — an effort that sparked a community-wide interest in arts, education and giving back.
Fast-forward to today. Boca Raton is a vibrant community rich in culture and home to nonprofit organizations dedicated to a wide range of causes, from animal welfare to veterans.
Its climate, beaches, shopping and entertainment have lured many wealthy individuals whose philanthropic efforts have resulted in the establishment and support of many charitable organizations within and near the city.
Picking beans on Butts Farms
Photo courtesy of Boca Raton Historical Society
Photo Courtesy Of Boca West Children's Foundation
Children & Education
What began in 1971 as an effort by two women to provide safe and affordable child-care services to low-wage laborers and farmworkers now serves as a lifeline to 700 families and more than 1,000 children. Fuller Center offers early childhood education for infants and toddlers as well as K-3 education with small classes emphasizing individualized learning. The center also offers summer camp, family support services, teen leadership for at-risk youth and an intergenerational program for children aged 3 to 5 to interact with senior citizens.
Visit fullercenterfl.org
Photo Courtesy Of George Snow Scholarship Fund
It’s one thing to provide students with scholarships; it’s another to help them succeed. That’s what the George Snow Scholarship Fund has done since 1982. Not only does the organization provide scholarships, but it also offers a wide range of services — from career development assistance to college care packages filled with essentials for those who don’t have the support of their families. It’s that kind of support that has allowed the fund to boast a 90% graduation rate.
Visit scholarship.org
Rendering By Rupert Brown
Health Care & Medical Research
As its nonprofit funding arm, Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation provides the money needed for new technology, research, equipment and building projects through philanthropic support. From its critical care tower to its neuroscience institute, the foundation has helped fund campus-wide initiatives that benefit Boca Raton’s community and beyond. Each year, the foundation holds a variety of fundraisers, from golf tournaments and luncheons to its annual ball. It is currently engaged in a “Keeping the Promise” campaign to raise $500 million to transform the hospital and ensure it meets the growing needs of the community for generations to come.
Visit donate.brrh.com
Photo Courtesy Of Jewish Federation Of South Palm Beach County
Photo Courtesy Of Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services
Connected To Community
With one of the largest per capita Jewish populations outside of Israel, South Palm Beach County is home to numerous organizations dedicated to Jewish philanthropy.
Photo Courtesy Of Levis JCC
One of the largest and most influential is based in Boca Raton: the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County. Its core function is to combat antisemitism and hatred through advocacy, education and outreach — a mission that feels especially urgent as antisemitism continues to rise. The organization also focuses on developing and implementing educational programs to increase awareness and understanding of events in Israel. The federation partners with numerous organizations across the county to provide services ranging from aiding people with disabilities to supporting at-risk youth to providing kosher meals for those in need.
Visit jewishboca.org
The Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center is among the federation’s partner organizations. Many of its programs center around services for children and families, including early childhood learning programs, services for children with special needs and their families, after-school programs and sports and camps. The center also hosts an annual Jewish film festival, along with virtual and live cultural and educational activities throughout the year.
Visit levisjcc.org
Photo By Brendan Eldom
Dancing For A Cause
A lawyer, a banker, a photographer and a realtor take to the dance floor; no, it’s not the introduction to a joke — it’s four of the eight contestants who will be participating in the 18th annual Boca’s Ballroom Battle on Sept. 20 at The Boca Raton. Boca's Ballroom Battle is Boca Raton's very own "Dancing With The Stars."
For the last few months, the group has been practicing their dance moves in anticipation of the event. It’s all for a good cause: to raise money for the George Snow Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships, financial aid and other support to college students.
The event pairs Boca Raton community leaders with professional dancers from Fred Astaire Dance Studios, who spend five months learning various dance moves. But winners aren’t judged by who does the best salsa or two-step; they are judged by who brings in the most in donations.
Those participating are Michael Drews, vice chairman of Multi-Bank Securities, Inc.; Mitchell C. Fogel, founder, managing partner and president of the Fogel Law Group; Troy Ganter, owner of Papa’s Raw Bar; Michelle Hagerty, philanthropist; Lauren Muñoz of Muñoz Photography; Linda Paton, vice president of customer relations at Sklar Furnishings; George M. Petrocelli, director of catering at The Boca Raton; and Allison Stewart, realtor at Compass.
This year’s theme is British Invasion, so contestants will be dancing to songs by artists ranging from Queen and David Bowie to The Clash and the Spice Girls.
Visit ballroombattle.com
Photo Courtesy of Boca Raton Historical Society
Arts & Culture
An annual event, Festival of the Arts Boca brings together artists and authors for a weeklong celebration. Established in 2007, past performers have included Itzhak Perlman, Renée Fleming, Joshua Bell, Lang Lang and Pat Metheny. The festival also engages young audiences through master classes and open rehearsals. Some 15,000 people attended this year’s affair, which took place Feb. 27 through March 8.
Visit festivalboca.org
Founded more than 50 years ago, the Boca Raton Historical Society collects, preserves and presents information and artifacts relevant to the city’s history. It owns and operates The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum. The Historical Society’s collection includes approximately 16,000 images dating from 1900 to the present, along with clippings, brochures and pamphlets relating to everything from the Boca Raton Army Air Field to Florida Atlantic University (FAU). Manuscript collections detail the lives of early residents, alongside architectural drawings, maps, newspapers, books and oral histories.
Visit bocahistory.org
Photo Courtesy Of Boca Raton Guide
Photo Courtesy Of Tri-County Animal Rescue
Environment & Animal Welfare
Watch tropical fish swim and butterflies flutter at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, a beloved, 20-acre coastal preserve on a barrier island in Boca Raton. Founded 41 years ago, the center is a cooperative project among the City of Boca Raton, the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District and FAU. Visit or adopt Lefty, Morgan and Lady McNubbins — three injured sea turtles that can’t return to the ocean. The center also serves as a marine science laboratory for FAU students.
Visit myboca.us
Tri-County Animal Rescue is a 100% no-kill animal shelter serving Boca Raton and surrounding areas since 1996. It relies solely on community support and donations to rescue and care for the thousands of animals that come through its doors. Can’t adopt? No problem — the organization also seeks volunteers to walk dogs, take photos of adoptable animals and clean cat rooms.
Visit tricountyanimalrescue.com
Photo By Nigel Sarrag/Unsplash
Photos Courtesy Of Boca Helping Hands
Community & Social Services
What began as a small soup kitchen in 1998 has grown into one of the largest nonprofit service providers in the city. Boca Helping Hands serves about 35,000 clients annually, offering individuals and families with food, job training, access to health care and financial assistance. Volunteers are the organization’s backbone, contributing more than 51,000 service hours in 2024. The organization runs a pantry bag distribution program at five locations throughout Palm Beach County as well as a hot meal program. It also offers vouchers for affordable child care, along with medical, dental and behavioral health services. Its backpack program equips children with the essentials needed for school.
Visit bocahelpinghands.org
Photo Courtesy Of Hands On Tzedakah
The Salvation Army of Boca Raton is part of the Palm Beach Area Command, a division of the international evangelical arm of the Universal Christian Church. Best known for its thrift stores, the organization provides disaster relief, fights human trafficking, assists the homeless and veterans, empowers youth and more.
Visit westpalmbeach.salvationarmyflorida.org
Photo Courtesy Of Family Promise of Southeast Florida
Homeless families in crisis can turn to Family Promise of Southeast Florida (formerly Family Promise of South Palm Beach County) for assistance. The organization, launched in 2008 by concerned clergy members and business owners, provides temporary shelter, food, mental health counseling, case management and referrals to keep families together and get them on the road to independence.
Visit familypromisesefl.org