The Ev Clay/PRSA Miami Chapter Endowment Fund, the largest of any PRSA Chapter in the nation, has supported promising South Florida PR students for four decades.
Established to assist students who demonstrate academic excellence, professional aptitude and financial need, the fund reflects the legacy of Everett A. Clay, a visionary Miami PR leader.
This year, PRSA Miami will celebrate 40 years of that legacy and the 38th annual Ev Clay/PRSA Miami Chapter Endowment Fund Luncheon on Sept. 25, at the Rusty Pelican in Key Biscayne. The luncheon brings together professionals, educators, students, honorees and community leaders to honor the profession’s past while investing in its future. Thanks to the endowment, $30,000 in scholarships will be awarded to eight PR students from four local universities.
Legacy rooted in ethics and excellence
We established the Ev Clay/PRSA Miami Chapter Endowment Fund in 1985 in memory of Everett “Ev” Clay, a pioneer in Miami public relations who founded Florida’s first PR firm in 1940 after a distinguished career at The Miami Herald. Known for his integrity and professionalism, Clay was a founding member of PRSA Miami in 1955 and the recipient of the Chapter’s first lifetime achievement award.
Four decades later, the Ev Clay/PRSA Miami Chapter Endowment Fund has awarded more than $400,000 in scholarships to more than 200 students.
Dana Clay, APR, daughter of Ev Clay, former president of his firm and PRSA Miami past president, reflected on her father’s enduring impact.
“My father loved writing and making things happen,” she said. “Everything he did, he did with kindness, deep thought and excellence. His teaching was by the way he lived each day.”
In addition to awarding scholarships, the luncheon recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the profession and community. This year’s honorees include Royal Palm Award recipient Dr. Marvin Dunn, Bill Adams Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Sandra Ericson, APR, and Bob Ross Communicator to Watch Award recipient Gina Halley-Wright. Each reflects a commitment to service, excellence and leadership that aligns with PRSA Miami’s mission.
Best practices for building impactful Chapter campaigns
The Ev Clay/PRSA Miami Chapter Endowment Fund offers lessons that other PRSA Chapters can adapt for their own scholarship programs, award initiatives or fundraising campaigns.
- Focus on sustainability.
As Bob Ross, APR, Fellow PRSA, one of the fund’s founders and longtime stewards alongside Dana Clay, APR, Donn Tilson, APR, Fellow PRSA, and Sandra Ericson, APR, shared, “A number of PRSA chapters have endowed scholarship programs. We’ve learned that continuing endowments offer the opportunity to create investment income that will eventually drive the programs. It’s a far better way to go than annual scholarships that require fundraising from ground zero each year. PRSA should consider creating a network of Chapters with endowments that could share best practices.”
By creating a permanent fund, PRSA Miami focused on sustainability, ensuring that scholarships could grow consistently without relying solely on annual fundraising. To ensure succession planning and long-term stewardship, the Chapter now partners with the Coral Gables Community Foundation to manage the endowment, oversee scholarship applications and selection, and provide a channel for the professional award applications and selection.
- Tie programs to legacy and values.
The fund honors the principles of Ev Clay, widely respected for his ethics, professionalism and innovation. Anchoring the endowment to his story created a narrative that resonated with donors, members and the broader community. Chapters can benefit from connecting campaigns to shared values, local pioneers or milestones.
- Engage both professionals and students.
The luncheon celebrates professional achievements and student potential. Our selection committee takes great pride in recognizing community gems and PR trailblazers through the annual professional awards. Coupled with honoring scholarship recipients, this creates a tone of gratitude and homecoming at the luncheon. This dual focus strengthens the connection between current leaders and the next generation. Chapters can consider developing programs that celebrate, inspire and raise awareness for a great cause.
- Build partnerships and visibility.
The annual luncheon is more than a fundraiser. It is a visible, anticipated chapter event that draws members and leaders from across industries in South Florida. Sponsors and silent auction donors help raise awareness on a larger scale, and the Chapter continues to partner with them year after year. Chapters can replicate this by positioning programs as must-attend events that highlight both the profession’s influence and its contributions to the community.
- Document and share results.
PRSA Miami has tracked and celebrated the growth of the endowment, awarding more than $400,000 to over 200 South Florida college students. By consistently communicating this progress quarterly with board members and at the annual luncheon, the Chapter reinforces the program’s credibility and inspires continued support.
Looking ahead
As PRSA Miami prepares for its 38th annual luncheon, we’re reminded that the Ev Clay/PRSA Miami Chapter Endowment Fund is more than a scholarship program. It is a legacy of integrity, mentorship and opportunity that has become a model for PRSA Chapters nationwide.
By focusing on sustainability, values, community and transparency, other Chapters can build programs that last decades and shape the future of the profession.
To support the Ev Clay/PRSA Miami Chapter Endowment Fund or learn more about the luncheon, please visit prsamiami.org.
Agustina Goldbaum is the president of PRSA’s Miami Chapter. She is vice president at EvClay Public Relations.
(photo courtesy of the miami chapter)
