Don Croxton, Russell Vance, Peter Zimmer
Philanthropists of the Year
Don Croxton
Don Croxton has been a steadfast champion of South Florida’s LGBTQ community, investing his time, talent, and resources to strengthen the region’s performing arts and community institutions. A longtime supporter of the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida, Don continues to build spaces for representation and community building for gay men in South Florida, honoring the legacy he built with his late husband, Doug Pew.
Russell Vance
Russell Vance has been among the pioneering donors bringing sustained, strategic resources to LGBTQ philanthropy in our region. In the years since the passing of his late husband, Eddie Schwartz, Russell has deepened his philanthropy, stepping forward with significant gifts that support arts, culture, and equity organizations at a moment when public funding has sharply retreated.
Peter Zimmer
Peter Zimmer, together with his late husband Jim Stepp, has been a powerful force in South Florida and national LGBTQ philanthropy. Following Jim’s passing, Peter strengthened their donor-advised fund at The Our Fund Foundation, expanding its grantmaking to support a wide range of impactful LGBTQ causes. Peter’s recent work includes hosting community-giving events and affirming that legacy philanthropy is defined by both generosity and heart.
Karen Kelley
Commitment to a Cause Award
Karen Kelley is a South Florida native and longtime realtor who has emerged as a key leader in the lesbian and women’s scene. She currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Skirt Foundation and is the former Board Chair of the Stonewall Museum & Archives. She has shepherded exhibits and community-engagement efforts that protected and broadcasted LGBTQ history; this includes a recreation of the original Stonewall Inn riot site with actual Stonewall uprising participants. Her insight into “what the community needs” is rooted in lived experience and is focused on future-facing equality for lesbian and transgender women alike.
Jonathan Sanz
Next Generation of Philanthropy
Jonathan Sanz serves as President of the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida (GMCSF) and is actively involved in broadening the organization’s reach, performance impact, and community engagement. Under his leadership, the chorus has produced bold concerts that have received critical acclaim and expanded audience access to queer arts. Jonathan’s work blends artistic excellence, operational leadership, and generational vision.
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