This National Philanthropy Day, Nov. 17, philanthropist Jay Kislak will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his commitment to excellence in business, education, community service and philanthropy. The award will be presented at the annual luncheon of the Miami Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).
Jay Kislak, prominent collector, philanthropist and Miami resident for more than 60 years, has been a lifelong collector of rare books and historic artifacts focused particularly on Florida and the Caribbean, exploration, navigation and the early Americas. In 2004, he and the Jay I. Kislak Foundation donated more than 3,000 rare books, maps, manuscripts and objects to the Library of Congress, whose Kislak Collection now forms the basis of a major exhibition and extensive scholarly and public programs in Washington, D.C.
The Jay I. Kislak Foundation made a landmark gift to Miami Dade College and the University of Miami in January, which includes more than 2,300 rare books, maps, manuscripts, pre-Columbian artifacts and other historic materials. MDC’s Freedom Tower will be one of two permanent homes for the internationally significant collection. The other will be at the University of Miami. The Kislak-MDC-UM partnership encompasses exhibitions, research, education and public outreach, all designed to serve MDC and UM students and faculty, community members, and a global scholarly network engaged in the study of Florida, early American history, and the cultures of the Caribbean and Latin America. Read more about the gift to MDC.
“We are honored and privileged to receive such a significant gift and to work with such great partners. In a community as diverse as ours, we feel the responsibility to embrace and share the arts, culture and history with our students, faculty and residents,” said MDC President, Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón.
Kislak has also made significant gifts to the University of Pennsylvania, Monmouth University, Florida State University and the University of Florida, among other institutions.
Learn more about how you can make a difference at www.mdcfoundation.com.