Last year, the campaign raised $41.6M in the fight for a #StrongerMiami
Co-chairing the 2018-2019 United Way of Miami-Dade annual campaign are Steven J. Brodie, Matthew B. Gorson and Jose R. Mas. Every year, the campaign calls upon more than 350 workplaces and their employees, and thousands of individual contributors to join the fight for a stronger Miami. Last year, the campaign raised $41.6 million to support education, financial stability and health programming throughout Miami-Dade, key building blocks for a strong and prosperous community.
“Our work is made possible by committed volunteers and staff who are dedicated to generating resources, finding solutions and investing wisely in programs and initiatives that empower families,” Maria C. Alonso, president and CEO, United Way of Miami-Dade, said. “Our annual campaign sustains our work, and we couldn’t do it without civic and business leaders like Steve, Matt and Jose who help us fight for every person in our community.”
Revenues generated through the annual campaign support United Way’s work, focused on serving the 58 percent of our community’s households who struggle to make ends meet, with 179,000 households living in poverty and another 314,400 households who earn more than the Federal Poverty Level yet are one emergency away from falling into poverty. Focused on education, financial stability and health, our work includes: investing in more than 117 programs at 57 local nonprofit agencies and signature initiatives like the United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education, United Way Center for Financial Stability, Mission United, Inspire305 and Youth Institute; advocating for better public policies for children and families; supporting older adults; engaging people in the community to find solutions to emerging issues; being responsive when natural disasters strike and much more.
During the campaign that ended in June 2018, Publix Super Markets and its associates topped all giving with donations totaling $3.48 million. Miami-Dade County Public Schools, its students, employees and bargaining units, Miami-Dade County and its bargaining units, Lennar Corporation, the University of Miami, Baptist Health South Florida Group, Greenberg Traurig, LLP., Ryder System, Inc. and UPS are also top contributing workplace campaigns.
With Brodie, Gorson and Mas at the helm, a team of volunteers who work closely with United Way staff will focus on engaging and inspiring government, business, labor unions, faith groups, nonprofits and everyday citizens to support the community through employee campaigns, individual gifts, special events and volunteer activities.
About Steven J. Brodie
Steven J. Brodie is the Miami co-managing shareholder of Carlton Fields, P.A and serves as co-leader of the firm's insurance practice group and insurance industry group. Brodie counsels a wide variety of insurance companies, including a leading international organization with operations in more than 130 countries and jurisdictions, as well as, leading insurance brokers. He has also lobbied before the State of Florida and local governments on behalf of a wide variety of businesses.
In addition to his role as a United Way board member and 2018-19 campaign co-chair for a second year, Brodie serves on the board of governors and is a trustee of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. He has also served on the board and executive committee of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and the board of the Miami Citizens, University of Miami. He has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America and Florida Super Lawyers, as well as, named one of the Top Lawyers in South Florida. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Tulane University with honors and juris doctorate degree with high honors from the University of Miami School of Law.
About Matthew B. Gorson
Matthew B. Gorson is the senior chairman of Greenberg Traurig, LLP., overseeing the day-to-day operations of the firm’s Southeast and California offices. Gorson joined Greenberg Traurig in 1973, as the firm’s 14th lawyer and became one of the most prolific and in-demand real estate attorneys in South Florida. As the former chair of the firm's national real estate practice, he was instrumental in developing the firm's reputation as a real estate powerhouse.
In addition to his role as a 2018-19 campaign co-chair, Gorson serves on the board of trustees of Friends of the Underlines and is chair of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami. He is also founder and chairman of the Downtown Miami Charter School and founder of both Mt. Sinai Hospital and Baptist Hospital. Gorson has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers Magazine and listed as a Power Leader in Law by the South Florida Business Journal. He holds a bachelor’s degree with high honors from Tulane University and juris doctorate degree from the University of Chicago Law School.
About Jose R. Mas
Jose R. Mas is CEO of MasTec, Inc., one of the largest and most diversified specialty contractors in North America. From 2007 – 2014, under his leadership, MasTec revenue increased from $930 million to $6 billion. Mas grew up in the business, working his way from the field to the boardroom.
In addition to his role as a United Way board member and 2018-19 campaign co-chair, Mas serves on the board of Helmerich & Payne (HP), a NYSE listed company, and the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He has been awarded the EY National Entrepreneur of the year award, the South Florida Business Journal Ultimate CEO award and has been voted the #1 engineering and construction CEO for 2014 and 2017 by Institutional Investor Magazine. Mas holds a bachelor’s degree and MBA from the University of Miami.
About United Way of Miami-Dade:
Since 1924, United Way of Miami-Dade has been an innovative force in the community, successfully responding to emerging needs and transforming people’s lives. Today our work is focused on education, financial stability and health—the building blocks for a good life. We invest in quality programs, advocate for better policies, engage people in the community and generate resources. To learn more, give, advocate or volunteer, visit www.unitedwaymiami.org, www.facebook.com/
