NORTH MIAMI EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION, INC. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT Board of Directors The Foundation The North Miami Educational Foundation, Inc. (NMEFI) was established in 2012, as Steven Moll, President a non-profit organization through which scholarships would be made available to support North Miami high school graduates in their pursuit of post-secondary Gepsie Metellus, Vice President education. The framework for the foundation came about after the city of North Clark Reynolds, Treasurer Miami entered into an extensive lease agreement with the developers, Oleta Partners, LLC, to convert a 183-plus acre site of undeveloped land into a premier Mary Estime-Irvin, Secretary project (now known as SoLé Mia) that will benefit North Miami’s residents and Sophia Hall businesses. As a result, the North Miami Educational Foundation, Inc. (NMEFI) was the beneficiary of $750,000 payable over a five year period. Supported by a nine- Larry Juriga member board of directors, the foundation has been successful due to the count- less hours spent by the board in establishing a strong and viable foundation and Patrick Lacouty operating within a robust managerial and organizational framework. Arthur H. Sorey, III As we complete another year of providing opportunities for educational advance- Miriam Stewart ment, we are excited to be making a difference in the lives of North Miami’s stu- dents who have the potential to succeed. We especially thank Oleta Partners for their commitment in creating this opportunity, and we are grateful to the Soffer and LeFrak families for continuing the support of our mission. Scholarship Program The NMEFI Scholarship Program was established in 2014 and has awarded $85,000 776 NE 125 Street in scholarship assistance. In 2017, 16 North Miami students were awarded $3,000 North Miami, FL 33161 each to attend Florida International University (FIU), Miami Dade College, Miami Dade Honors College, Barry University, Emory University, University of Florida, p: 305.895.9888 Bethune-Cookman University, and St. Thomas University. In addition, these stu- f: 305.893.1367 dents have the opportunity to reapply for the scholarship (up to four years), as [email protected] long as they are undergraduates, considered economically disadvantaged, and best NorthMiamiFL.gov fit the required criteria. The scholarship is offered annually, and information is posted on the city of North Miami’s website throughout the year. 1 Support North Miami Youth…. Education is Power! The North Miami Educational Foundation participated in its second Give Miami Day on 2017 scholarship winners, along with North Miami Council members and board November 16, 2017. Give members of the North Miami Educational Foundation. Miami Day is an annual giving event managed by The Miami Foundation and allows individ- uals in the community to make a charitable gift to local non- profit organizations, such as the North Miami Educational Foundation. Members of the community are asked to make an end-of- year donation to help students Scholarship recipients pose with their proud parents after the North Miami City who reside in North Miami Council presentation on July 11, 2017. photos by Bernard H. Straw Photography realize the dream of a college education. TESTIMONIALS of NMEFI Scholars... This scholarship has been a pivotal part in my education and has given me opportunities to truly focus on my academics, while being able to work THE NORTH MIAMI EDUCATIONAL on extra curricular activities. I truly FOUNDATION, INC. IS REGISTERED AS A PUBLIC CHARITY UNDER SECTION have been blessed to have been 501(C)(3) OF THE IRS CODE AND WITH given this scholarship repeatedly. THE FLORIDA DIVISION OF CONSUMER Pictured here is a photo with the rest SERVICES (CH48701). of my team and just the day before, I was able to start shadowing at a human performance facility that is in DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE TO Little River called Fast Twitch. THE EXTENT OF THE LAW. Barry University Major: Exercise Physiology 2 TESTIMONIALS of NMEFI Scholars... CONTINUED “I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the city of North Miami’s belief that I would achieve and strive for an exceptional education. The North Miami Educational Foundation’s financial support has provided me the rare possibility to focus on my academic career as I pursue the unique opportunities Miami Dade College has to offer. As a Student Government Association Public Relations Director and Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society Officer, I was given the opportunity to explore on-campus student organiza- tions and community service opportunities. In the remarks by Barack Obama to a global seminar in Salzburg, Austria, I discovered the global re- sponsibility within myself.” Miami Dade Honors College Pathway to Major in Nursing Public Relations Director, Student Government Association Director of Scholarship, Phi Theta Kappa Mu Epsilon Chapter "I am honored to be a recipient of the NMEFI scholarship. This has tremendously lessened the financial burden that comes with a college education. Thank you for making a difference in my life and making a college education a reality. I am currently a member of FIU's Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Science's S.A.L.S.A. (Student Awareness of the Link between Substance Abuse/AIDs) club. My role as a member consists of peers educat- ing about the importance of safe sexual practices, as well as the importance of living a drug-free lifestyle. My college experience thus far has been nothing short of magnificent. As a nursing student moving through my clinical rotations, I have been able to make a difference in the lives of others while caring for them at the most critical moments." Florida International University Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Science 3 776 NE 125 Street, North Miami, FL 33161 NorthMiamiFL.gov .