For Scott Bennett, philanthropy is extra than simply an act of giving — it’s been his mission for many years.
As board chairman of the nonprofit Wilton Manors-based The Our Fund Basis, Bennett works to boost cash and create a future for youthful generations in South Florida’s LGBTQ+ group. He additionally helps seniors within the area as a board member of SAGE, a nationwide advocacy and companies group.
Initially from New York Metropolis, Bennett discovered a house in Wilton Manors — a spot the place he says he genuinely feels he belongs. His profession as a lawyer for The McGraw-Hill Cos. offered him with the abilities to run foundations and the means to offer again.
At the moment, he channels that success into his philanthropy work, serving to to create housing for LGBTQ+ youth and join older homosexual males — many with out household assist — with important sources throughout troublesome instances.
We spoke with Bennett about this mission and his successes — and why he feels the Jewish and homosexual communities should work collectively. This interview has been edited for size and readability.
Q: Inform me extra about your beginnings.
A: I used to be raised in New York Metropolis in a Jewish household. My dad and mom lived within the Higher West Facet in Manhattan however moved to Riverdale within the Bronx after I was 10. My dad and mom have been a number of the founders of the Riverdale Temple, which is a Reform synagogue.
I used to be a horrible athlete and I wanted to try someplace, so I did it by way of teachers and that area. Once I was 10, I watched a program referred to as “Perry Mason,” which is a couple of lawyer who wins all his circumstances. I assumed, “That is fabulous. I’ll be a lawyer.” After school, I labored for a Wall Avenue regulation agency for 5 years after which went to work for McGraw-Hill Cos., the place I stayed for 37 years.
Q: Why did you select Wilton Manors to calm down?
A: I had been coming to Florida for 15 or 20 years. Once I got here down full time, I moved into a spot on the seaside on Oakland Park Boulevard and A1A. I lived there after which 10 years later, proper earlier than I retired, I purchased my dream condominium in that constructing. I needed to transfer out due to renovations, so I rented a spot in Wilton Manors. As quickly as I used to be there, I stated, “Why do I need that place on the seaside? I wish to be in my group in Wilton Manors.”
It’s fabulous to principally reside within the middle of the homosexual group. I don’t go to the bars anymore right now of my life, however simply to have the ability to stroll out on my terrace and see Wilton Drive, it jogged my memory of my life in New York Metropolis. Identical to within the Jewish group, the place individuals prefer to reside with different Jewish individuals — you prefer to reside with your personal variety.
Q: How did your sexuality have an effect on your profession?
A: I knew I used to be homosexual even after I was very, very younger. I didn’t know what it meant, however I knew I used to be drawn to males at 5 and 6 years outdated. [With my career], I had a alternative between a chemical firm and an data media firm, McGraw-Hill. I simply thought that a lot of my life was dependent upon the place I used to be going to be comfy as an out homosexual man. And I undoubtedly knew that the media was going to be extra open to homosexual individuals than a chemical firm. I labored my manner up in that company to the place I used to be the primary and highest paid brazenly homosexual individual.
Q: You have been the founder and longtime president of the LGBTQ+ worker affinity group on the McGraw-Hill Co. What did beginning this group appear like?
A: I used to be within the firm for plenty of years and my popularity as a sensible individual and an excellent performer was already there. The corporate was beginning all these worker useful resource teams and I stated, “Hey, we have to have a homosexual group, and I’ll run it.” I had no pushback. We developed a plan the place you may go away your pensions to your companions — this was earlier than homosexual marriage was authorized. Years later, we added well being advantages for the trans group.
Q: You’re technically retired, however you continue to work exhausting for numerous foundations. Why is philanthropy and donating your time such an enormous a part of your life?
A: I really like feeling that I can have an effect down right here. I stroll round and other people thank me and it’s like: Don’t thank me, I get again way over I’m giving. My life has that means. How fortunate am I to be the individual apart from the manager director of Our Fund to be doing all this good work? One lesson in life I’ve discovered is to not search for affirmations from others, however to offer them to your self. What a waste of time ready for another person to approve of you. Why put your happiness within the management of others?
Q: Inform me extra about The Our Fund Basis.
A: The Our Fund Basis offers cash to the LGBTQ+ group by way of organizations which might be targeted on our wants. This might be an LGBTQ+ basis or nonprofit, however is also a straight group that has particular packages that assist the group.
We’ve entry to $25 million and, in 10 years, we’ll have $250 million. We get our cash as a result of we ask individuals to place us of their will. Why go away all of your cash to your nephew you haven’t spoken to in 15 years when you may go away some to your group? Individuals in this system will die and go away cash to Our Fund.
Proper now, crystal meth is an issue for youthful homosexual males. We’re on the lookout for a solution to take care of this downside. Homeless youth is an issue, notably homeless homosexual youth. We received donors collectively and we now have a home run by Sunshine Cathedral and SunServe that homes 12 homosexual males. We attempt to work along with the trans group, since they’re beneath assault. We additionally act like a clearing home and supply recommendation to different nonprofits in our area.
Q: You’re additionally a board member of SAGE. Inform me extra about that.
A: I’m on the manager committee, and I’m additionally head of the nominating and governance committee. It’s a nationwide group headquartered in New York and we have now native organizations right here [in South Florida]. We run a program referred to as the Pleasant Customer Program the place in the event you’re homebound, we ship individuals to go to you. We additionally began a program the place individuals can put SAGE as their contact for emergencies since so many homosexual individuals have nobody to place as subsequent of kin to contact if there’s a downside. And we created coaching packages for senior services. Individuals have been going again within the closet as a result of employees have been abusing sufferers, so we do coaching in native nursing houses to show the employees tips on how to take care of homosexual individuals.
Q: How do you’re feeling Jews and LGBTQ+ teams can be taught from one another, particularly in instances of divisiveness?
A: I’m very completely satisfied when the Jewish group helps the homosexual group. To me, we have now the identical battle. I don’t perceive antisemitism nevertheless it exists and, due to that, we have now to carry ourselves to a better customary. We have to be a part of collectively and work collectively to assist primary equality for all. That’s what we’d like — the fitting to guide your life and have your personal sense of happiness not dependent in your faith, race or sexual orientation. What’s in your coronary heart, that’s what issues.
