Give Miami Day is the closest thing this city has to a local civic holiday. Since 2012, the Thanksgiving spirit has taken over Miami a week early for the 24-hour digital fundraiser organized by The Miami Foundation. And in recent years, the donation spree has become a week-long affair with the introduction of Early Giving. All told, Give Miami Day has grown into one of the largest local giving days in the country, raising more than $100 million through tens of thousands of donations.
This year, the stakes are even higher. Food insecurity is rising across Miami-Dade, and federal workers are coming off the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. “Six hundred thousand people in Miami — one out of every four families — depend on food stamps,” says Rebecca Fishman Lipsey, President & CEO of The Miami Foundation. “When those benefits slow down, people panic. It’s primal. And it’s our job as a community not to let half a million people go hungry.”
Her urgency doesn’t come from pessimism, but from what she sees daily: People stepping up. “Miami is full of people who fled here from everywhere looking for a future. Most people feel grateful to be here, and they want to give back,” she says. “I don’t see apathy in this city. I see people making a difference, and I get to spend my time with that slice of Miami.”
The Miami Foundation’s work involves funneling resources to the hundreds of nonprofits doing vital work across the county — some massive, like The Miami Heat Charitable Fund; others scrappy operations run by individuals or a handful of people. Give Miami Day is part of that ecosystem, empowering locals to find causes they care about and donate to corresponding organizations with a few clicks. Last year, the day of action garnered 109,000 donations in a single day.
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Even in a year defined by economic anxiety, Lipsey insists this is exactly when Miami tends to show its character. “We have a lot of need here, but we also have a lot of wealth here,” she says. “People move here for the tax benefits, the business environment, the lifestyle. And once they land, they need to feel grateful and give back. This place needs to be healthy for everybody.”
In that spirit, here are ten cultural organizations — some longtime anchors, others first-time participants — doing essential work to preserve and enrich Miami’s cultural ecosystem.
Kelani Nichole, a technologist, curator, collector, and exhibition maker, shares her work at Oolite Arts’ Media Art Salon Series.
Allapattah Collaborative CDC
The Allapattah Collaborative CDC works to preserve and uplift the Dominican enclave known as Little Santo Domingo. The organization supports Dominican-owned businesses through one-on-one technical assistance, lease negotiation assistance, façade improvement grants, permitting guidance, and financial literacy workshops. It also hosts events like the recent Festival Del Plátano at Juan Pablo Duarte Park, which showcased live music, art displays, and traditional plantain-based dishes in the neighborhood. The organization says Give Miami Day funds will help more than 60 small businesses graduate from its programs, and that the support will also help with the documentation of community stories for the Smithsonian.1951 NW Seventh St. #600, Miami; 786-220-4590; allapattahcdc.org. Donate via givemiamiday.org/organization/AllapattahCDC.
Black LGBTQ+ Liberation, Inc. (BLINC)
BLINC uplifts Black and Brown LGBTQ+ communities through arts programming and wellness-focused cultural events. Its flagship performance series, Thou Art Woman, founded by advocate, attorney, educator, and writer G. Wright Muir, celebrates LGBTQ+ women and allies through spoken word, music, drag, comedy, dance, and storytelling. The series — now a cornerstone of Miami’s queer arts scene — has hosted regional and national performers and built a space where queer artists are seen, supported, and celebrated. BLINC also leads community festivals, artist showcases, and healing circles across Miami-Dade and Broward. Give Miami Day funds will go toward expanding Thou Art Woman, creating new artist residencies, and supporting a yearlong calendar of queer-centered arts programming. 6610 NW 15th Ave., Miami; 645-216-2963; blamovement.org. Donate via givemiamiday.org/organization/Black-Liberation-Alliance-Movement.
HistoryMiami Museum
HistoryMiami’s world-class archives hold more than two million images and 30,000 objects tracing South Florida’s layered histories. Exhibitions such as “It’s a Miami Thing,” a permanent collection of artifacts and archival items from the museum’s collections, and the newly opened “Belonging in Transit,” a photographic exploration of migration, tell the story of Miami’s ever-shifting identity. HistoryMiami’s popular city tours, school programs, and Free Family Fun Days also broaden the museum’s impact in the wider community.101 W. Flagler St., Miami; 305-375-1492; historymiami.org. Donate via givemiamiday.org/organization/historymiami.
Little Bahamas of Coconut Grove Revitalization
Little Bahamas is one of Miami’s most historic — and endangered — neighborhoods. Contributions to Little Bahamas of Coconut Grove Revitalization will support the organization’s multipronged approach to preservation, which includes restoring the ACE Theater, Coconut Grove Playhouse, and other neighborhood historic sites; beautification projects; spotlighting Black artisans and creators at the Folklife Village & Marketplace; and much more. 40 NW Third St., Ste. 305, Miami. Donate via givemiamiday.org/organization/Little-Bahamas.
Fab Lab Miami
Fab Lab Miami democratizes access to digital fabrication and creative technology through hands-on education. The lab provides classes in 3D printing, robotics, digital design, laser cutting, and coding, and collaborates with schools and youth groups. Its programs have helped students build prototypes and fostered interdisciplinary collaborations at the intersection of tech and culture. The inaugural space was established in 2020 in Liberty City, with another following in Homestead last year. This summer, the organization took students from its internship program and the Overtown Youth Center on a field trip to Florida State University. 240 Crandon Blvd., Ste 108, Key Biscayne; 305-361-2770; fablabmiami.org. Donate via givemiamiday.org/organization/Fablabmiami.
Miami Girls Rock Camp
An inclusive space where girls and gender-expansive youth can be rock stars for a week, Miami Girls Rock Camp has nurtured the musical skills and general confidence of Miami’s youngest creatives since 2015. The organization runs a week-long camp each summer, in which participants ages 8 to 17 learn to play instruments, write a song, and perform it at a Miami music venue. Past showcases have taken place at The Ground, Miami Beach Bandshell, and the outdoor stage at Magic 13 Brewing Co. 4220 NW Fifth Ave., Miami; 305-331-5484; miamigirlsrockcamp.org. Donate via givemiamiday.org/organization/miamigirlsrockcamp.
Oolite Arts
One of Miami’s leading artist support organizations, Oolite Arts offers residencies, free and low-cost classes, exhibitions, studio space, grants, and public programs to local creatives. Its Ellies Awards are among the city’s most important grants for local artists. Oolite hosts exhibitions, screenings, workshops, and public art activations year-round. In addition to supporting these initiatives, Give Miami Day donations will support the “ongoing development of the new 27,000-square-foot Oolite Art Center, which will have more than double the studio and public program space.” 924 Lincoln Rd., Ste. 205, Miami Beach; 305-674-8278; oolitearts.org. Donate via givemiamiday.org/organization/oolitearts.
Profiles in Black Miami Inc.
Founded eight years ago by three CBS Miami colleagues — Keith Moore, Christine Malcolm, and AnnMarie Henry — Profiles in Black Miami Inc. addresses the lack of media focus on local Black communities by chronicling Miami’s Black history from the 19th century to now. Give Miami Day donations support the organization’s efforts to research historical records, acquire footage for documentaries, and produce and share educational content with the wider community. 720 NE 162nd St., Miami; profilesinblackmiami.org. Donate via givemiamiday.org/organization/Profiles-In-Black-Miami.
We Met in Miami
We Met in Miami brings people together through culturally driven gatherings that emphasize connection in a city known for transience. Past programming has included gallery nights, outdoor film screenings, artisan markets, poetry gatherings, dance socials, pottery pop-ups, mural tours, and volunteer activations supporting other Miami nonprofits. It’s one of the fastest-growing social networks of young adults in Miami, leading founders to to plan its second iteration, We Met in Broward. 7801 NE Fourth Ct., Apt. 115, Miami; wemetinmiami.org. Donate via givemiamiday.org/organization/We-Met-Community-Connection.
The WOW Center
For more than fifty years, The WOW Center has provided adults with developmental disabilities access to enriching programming including art and music therapy, culinary training, and recreational activities, as well as independent-living support and vocational training. Give Miami Day donations will support the organization’s ongoing expansion project, including new classrooms, training labs, and creative spaces. 11450 SW 79th St., Miami; 305-279-7999; wowcentermiami.org. Donate via givemiamiday.org/organization/wowcentermiami.