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Micky And Madeleine Arison Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$12.1M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.5M

Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $12,120,513 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $500,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily South Florida, with national and international giving
  • Total Assets: Over $219 million

Contact Details

Address: 2 Alhambra Plaza Suite 1040, Coral Gables, FL 33134

Phone: (786) 270-3710

Contact: c/o Richard Kohan AFO LLC

Website: Not publicly available

Application Status: Does not accept unsolicited applications

Overview

Established in 2006, the Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation serves as the philanthropic vehicle of Micky Arison, chairman of Carnival Corporation and owner of the NBA's Miami Heat, and his wife Madeleine. With assets exceeding $219 million and annual giving of approximately $12 million, the foundation makes around 49 grants per year with a median grant amount of $100,000. The foundation focuses on disease research, health and humanitarian relief, while dedicating significant funding to South Florida initiatives in housing, education, arts and culture. The foundation has demonstrated responsive philanthropy, notably providing millions in humanitarian aid to Ukraine and disaster relief efforts. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited proposals.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with fixed deadlines. All grants are made at the discretion of the trustees on an invitation-only basis.

Grant Size: Grants range from $1,000 to $500,000, with a median grant amount of $100,000.

Number of Grants: Approximately 49 grants awarded annually (based on 2023 data).

Geographic Distribution: About half of grantmaking stays in South Florida, with the remainder supporting national and international organizations.

Priority Areas

Disease Research and Medical Research

  • Major support to large national associations and research institutes
  • Past recipients include American Heart Association, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association, American Cancer Society, and Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
  • Ongoing support to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
  • University of Miami's Miami Project to Cure Paralysis ($5.5 million in funding to date)
  • Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at University of Miami

Health and Hospital Care (South Florida Focus)

  • Baptist Health South Florida
  • Children's hospitals
  • Miami-area hospital care and public health providers

Housing and Hunger (South Florida Focus)

  • United Way of South Florida
  • Feeding South Florida
  • Chapman Partnership

Arts and Culture (South Florida)

  • New World Symphony
  • Miami City Ballet
  • Miami Art Museum
  • Miami Children's Museum

Humanitarian Relief and Disaster Response

  • Millions in support for Ukraine humanitarian aid
  • Hurricane relief efforts (Hurricane Harvey: $2 million; Hurricane Irma; Hurricane Dorian)
  • American Red Cross

Other Areas

  • Disabilities support (Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Best Buddies International)
  • Education initiatives
  • Environmental causes
  • Community development

What They Don't Fund

As a private family foundation operating on an invitation-only basis, the foundation does not publicly specify exclusions. However, they do not accept unsolicited applications from organizations with whom they do not have an existing relationship.

Governance and Leadership

Founders: Micky and Madeleine Arison

Micky Arison is chairman of Carnival Corporation, the world's largest cruise operator (served as CEO from 1979-2013), and has been owner of the NBA's Miami Heat since 1995. His son, Nick Arison, currently serves as CEO of the Miami Heat.

Madeleine Arison (born October 1952) is an active participant in the family's philanthropic endeavors and serves as a Trustee at Ted Arison Family Foundation U.S.A. Inc. She and Micky married on May 3, 1980, in Miami Dade, Florida.

Key Staff:

  • Richard Kohan: Assistant Vice President, Treasurer & Secretary at Arison Arts Foundation; Trustee at Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation

The foundation's assets are managed by a board of trustees, though detailed information about all trustees is not publicly disclosed.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited proposals or applications. All grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees based on their strategic priorities and existing relationships.

Grants are initiated by the foundation's trustees through their networks and community engagement, rather than through a competitive application process.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed, as grants are made by trustee invitation only.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations cannot apply or reapply as the foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals.

Application Success Factors

Since the Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations that have received funding share certain characteristics:

Geographic Connection: About half of the foundation's grantmaking focuses on South Florida, particularly the greater Miami area. Organizations with strong ties to this region, especially in Coral Gables and Miami-Dade County, appear to be prioritized.

Scale Appropriateness: The foundation supports both large national research institutions (American Cancer Society, American Heart Association) and smaller local South Florida organizations, suggesting they match grant size to organizational capacity and project scope.

Mission Alignment: Organizations working in the foundation's priority areas receive support:

  • Large disease research grants tend to support national associations and institutes
  • South Florida health grants focus on hospitals and care providers
  • Local housing and hunger initiatives concentrate in the greater Miami area

Existing Relationships: The foundation's grants often flow to organizations where the Arisons have existing connections, such as the University of Miami (where they have provided $5.5 million for medical research), organizations connected to the Miami Heat, and major Miami cultural institutions.

Responsive Giving: The foundation has demonstrated the ability to mobilize quickly for humanitarian crises and disaster relief, suggesting they value organizations that can deploy resources effectively in emergency situations.

Established Reputation: Recipients tend to be well-established organizations with proven track records, whether large national health organizations or respected South Florida community institutions.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Unsolicited Applications: This foundation does not accept proposals from organizations without an existing relationship. Traditional grant seeking will not be successful.

  • Relationship-Based Philanthropy: All funding flows through trustee discretion and existing networks. Building authentic relationships within Miami's philanthropic and business communities is essential.

  • South Florida Priority: Half of their grantmaking stays local. Organizations serving the greater Miami area, particularly in health, housing, hunger, arts, and education, align with their geographic focus.

  • Dual Funding Strategy: The foundation supports both major national disease research institutions (grants up to $500,000) and smaller local organizations (grants from $1,000+), suggesting they tailor grant size appropriately.

  • Strategic Focus Areas: Disease research and medical research receive substantial support nationally, while local giving focuses on housing, hunger, hospital care, disabilities, arts, and education.

  • Responsive Philanthropy: The foundation has mobilized significant resources for humanitarian crises (Ukraine, hurricanes), indicating they value urgent needs and can move quickly.

  • Connection Points: Organizations affiliated with Carnival Corporation, the Miami Heat, University of Miami, or major Miami cultural institutions may have relationship pathways to the foundation.

References

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