Fund is a 501(c) 3 tax exempt organization, which focuses on the needs of women, seniors, healthcare, the arts, and the youth in the community. They work with other not-for-profits and service organizations, including the Wilton Manors-based Brian Neal Fitness and Health Foundation, for which they offer resources for men and women living with HIV/AIDS, in conjunction with Island City Health and Fitness. Our Fund has helped sponsor those that are unable to pay for gym memberships and life and nutritional counseling programs. Our Fund CEO Anthony Timiraos says the organization has developed several levels of support.

“We have so many ways that people can help,” he notes. “There is the entry—or, “Bronze”—level, which is a contribution of $1,500 to $2,499. Our “Silver” level is $2,500 to $4,999. “Gold” level is a contribution of $5,000 to $9,999. The “Diamond” is set at $10,000 to $14,999, and our “Platinum” level is $15,000 and above.”

“One of the things about us is that if you want to leave money to several organizations—let’s say the Pride Center, Poverello, and Broward House, as examples—you can express the amount for each organization, and we will disperse that money for you—I hate to say ‘upon your departure,’ but that’s what it comes down to,” he notes, in a manner that’s almost apologetic.

“Every dime that we bring in stays in our community, hence the name ‘Our Fund,’” Timaraos explains. “When someone wills us money, we keep it in the community, and dispense it in that manner. For example, let’s say someone leaves $500,000, and they specify a certain organization to receive that money. Perhaps that puts the donation level over a certain amount that may cause them to lose other federal, state, or local funds. “What we do is we send that money over a period of time, as to not compromise other incomes.

Let’s face it, right now all of the nonprofits are suffering, due to budget cuts. What we do is perfectly legal, and we don’t want to see any of the LGBT organizations get hurt. They all are doing so much good work, the last thing that we want to do is limit their ability to continue to serve a community that is in need,” he adds. For more information, visit: our-fund.org.

As someone who has served in the non-profit community from Gay Pride Events to HIV related organizations I have long wondered why no one in the community tried to introduce all of the area non-profits to each other so that each organization knows what services each group provides. Enter, “Our Fund.” When I got to sit down with one of the founders, Anthony Timiraos, CEO/President, we immediately had a connection due to both of our work in the community over the years.

“Our Fund” is a 501 (c) 3, tax-exempt organization which focuses on Women, Seniors, Health, Arts and the Youth in the community. Currently working with the Brian Neal Foundation, they have focused on working with those men and women living with HIV/ AIDS. In conjunction with Island City Health and Fitness, the Neal Foundation, in cooperation with “Our Fund,” has been sponsoring those that are unable to afford gym memberships. As most know, keeping your health at an optimum is key in staying healthy when battling HIV/AIDS. “Our Fund” has developed several levels of support for the organization.

“We have so many levels of support and so many ways that people can help. There is the entry Bronze level which is $1500- $2499; our Silver is $2500-$4,999; our Gold level is $5000 to $9999; the Diamond level is set at $10,000 to $14,999; and our Platinum is $15,000 and above,” says Timiraos.”

“Every dime that we bring in stays in “OUR COMMUNITY” hence the title “Our Fund”. When someone wills us money, we keep it in the community and dispense it in that manner. For example, let’s say someone leaves $500,000, and they specify a certain organization to receive that money. Perhaps that puts the donation level over a certain amount that may cause them to lose other federal, state or local funds. What we do is send that money over a period of time as to not compromise other income sources.

“Let’s face it, right now all of the nonprofits are suffering due to budget cuts. What we do is perfectly legal and we don’t want to see any of the LGBT organizations get hurt. They all are doing so much good work, the last thing that we want to do is limit their ability to continue to serve a community that is in need,” says Timiraos.

“Our Fund can also expedite bequeathing money to several organizations–let’s say the GLCC, Poverello, and Broward House, as examples. You can express how much to each organization and we will disperse that money for you, I hate to say upon your departure, but that’s what it comes down to,” states Timiraos.

We all know that it’s tough out there right now, and there is always a new generation of LGBT community coming along, and it’s part of our responsibility to make sure there are organizations that will help those individuals.

For more information, log on to www.our-fund.org.