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Philanthropy > Main banner
Philanthropy banner
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Advancement
Advancement fuels our ability to deliver on our mission for every student, every day, everywhere.
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Contact David
At Miami Country Day, Advancement is about progress and forward movement. It involves a strategic approach that integrates philanthropy, relationship building, and consistent communication to propel the school forward.Advancement touches every aspect of our mission—from the buildings on campus to the transformative experiences our students enjoy daily. It inspires individuals to connect with the school’s mission and recognize the significant impact of their gifts. By fostering a culture of philanthropy, we enrich the school and profoundly enhance the student experience. Together, we advance the school’s mission, paving the way for future generations.
David Smith
Chief Advancement Officer-
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JAMES W. MOORE
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James W. Moore ’65 , Past Chairman
James W. Moore ‘65 can still sing the MCDS Alma Mater from his years as a young student. As an alumnus, alumni parent, former President of the Alumni Association, and now Chairman of the Board of Trustees, where he has served for 27 years, James is more committed than ever to ensure the future of Miami Country Day. The Garner Moore Family walks the talk and supports our students and teachers every year. There is not one initiative or building on the Miami Country Day School campus that hasn’t been supported by The Garner Moore Family. I invite you to hear from James Moore whose family has been involved in the school for over 70 years.
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MATTHEW LAZENBY
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Matthew Lazenby , Chairman of the Board
Matthew Whitman Lazenby is President and Chief Executive Officer of Whitman Family Development, LLC, and is the fourth-generation leader in the family owned business that began developing commercial real estate in Miami in the early twentieth century. Matthew has served on the Board for 14 years and he and his wife, Kristin, have three young boys at the school. They continue to support the legacy his grandparents established as longtime benefactors of Miami Country Day. As President of the Board, Matthew leads the 30 member volunteer group whose areas of responsibility include supporting the Head of School as their sole employee, managing governance and best practices, stewarding the school’s resources, and securing philanthropic support for the financial sustainability of the school. Here’s Matthew’s Why Miami Country Day.
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The 1938 Society
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The 1938 Society
In 2015, during the school’s 75th Anniversary year, Head of School, Dr. John Davies, recognized members of the inaugural class of The 1938 Society. The 1938 Society recognizes the leadership of those benefactors whose cumulative monetary gifts or irrevocable gifts to Miami Country Day School have reached $1 million or more.
A sculpture titled Wisdom by Santiago Medina was installed on the Plaza de Colombia to honor present and future members of The 1938 Society. Special thanks to the following donors: C.W. “Doc” and Hetty Abele, The Bautista Family, The Chaplin and Jove Families, Michael J. and Katherine E. Franco, The Garner Moore Family, Roger L. Koch, The Parents’ Association, The Whitman and Lazenby Family.
Then and Now
Imagine the campus in the late 30s when the school was founded as a for-profit, boys’ boarding school. There were 12 acres, nine students, two teachers and five buildings. Look around. Today, the school is a coeducational independent not-for-profit day school with 22 acres, more than 1200 students and 200 teachers.
More than half of the buildings were added beginning in the 80s and those were made possible through gifts. One of the first named buildings was the James G. Garner Family Student Activities Center. It was dedicated in 1984 and has served the school community well housing classrooms, the cafeteria and a stage. Today, this space has been transformed into the Garner Center for Innovation.
The addition of the Franco Center for Learning Resources in 2015 and the Center for the Arts in 2017 are more recent examples of the impact capital campaigns have on our community. They provide additional and state-of-the-art space as well as places for students to explore the dynamic educational opportunities required of the world today.
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Then and Now
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Donor Report
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Donor Report
Miami Country Day is committed to being good stewards of all of its resources. The Office of Philanthropy produces a special Donor Report to honor our community of donors and share stories of the impact philanthropy has on the school’s mission. In addition, every year the school undergoes an annual audit conducted by an outside firm and those reports are available upon request.
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