❤️Miami Beach Cupid Splash❤️ awards $42k in grants to four local nonprofits

On Sunday, February 16th, 2025 hundreds of enthusiastic participants gathered at Collins Park Beach to take part in the 1st annual Miami Beach Cupid Splash - a Valentine’s Day weekend “polar plunge” with a tropical twist. As water temperatures reached their seasonal coldest, the crowd dashed into the Atlantic in a fun and spirited effort to raise funds to restore and protect Biscayne Bay.

The 2025 Miami Beach Cupid Splash raised more than $40,000 for the Biscayne Bay Recovery Fund at The Miami Foundation. These funds are now being distributed to four outstanding local organizations whose work supports a healthier, more resilient Biscayne Bay.

"Congratulations to the 2025 Miami Beach Cupid Splash grant recipients" said event organizer Bruce Berman. "And thanks to all the participants, donors and sponsors for their enthusiasm and support."

"A special thanks to Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner, Miami Beach City Commissioner David Suarez, and the City of Miami Beach for hosting the event. Thanks as well to Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade Chief Resilience Officer Loren Parra, and Rebecca Fishman Lipsey, President and CEO of The Miami Foundation for their kind words and support.

The beneficiaries of the 2025 Cupid Splash include:

VolunteerCleanUp.org – Grassroots cleanups – What started as a simple solution to connect volunteers with organizers leading cleanups quickly turned into a County-wide movement. As of January 2023, our platform has helped facilitate over 3,000 cleanups, with 30,000 volunteers removing over 600,000 pounds of trash and debris from Miami-Dade County beaches and shorelines.

Clean Miami Beach – Grassroots clean ups – Since 2019, Clean Miami Beach has committed to preserving the environment of Miami Beach and its surrounding ecosystems. With over 20,000 volunteers, they have facilitated over 470 cleans ups and collected over 120,000 pounds of trash from Miami Beach beaches.

Blue Scholars Initiative – Education – Blue Scholars
Initiative is dedicated to fostering ocean stewardship among you through hands-on marine science education. Their programs engage students in marine biology, ecology, and watershed concepts, providing immersive experiences both on the water and in the classroom.

Ripples of Impact – Drowning initiative- Ripples of Impact is dedicated to building community resilience through education, environmental stewardship, and youth empowerment. Their Swim Scholarships and Tuition Assistance program offers free and reduced-cost swim lessons to children in underserved communities. Ripples of Impact aims to promote water safety and build life-saving skills among youth.

“The Cupid Splash is a powerful reminder of the heart and dedication our residents have for protecting and restoring Biscayne Bay,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “I’m incredibly proud of our community for coming together to raise over $40,000 in support of the organizations working every day to protect the blue heart of Miami-Dade. When we come together, we don’t just make a splash — we make waves of lasting change.”

This fundraiser was made possible by Miami Beach resident Bruce Berman, a Boston native who previously hosted an annual “Save the Harbor” event on Boston Harbor, where the winter water temperature is 38 degrees.

Last year Berman decided to bring that tradition to Miami Beach to benefit Biscayne Bay and our
community with a tropical twist: Instead of splashing in 38° water in the Northeast or Midwest, the winter water temperature in Miami Beach was a refreshing 78°.

"Here in Miami, just like in Boston, clean water and a healthy marine environment are core family values." said Berman. "It was great to work with so many people who care about the Bay, the beach and our community. We are already planning for next year's Miami Beach Cupid Splash on Sunday, February 15 at Collins Park Beach."

“There’s purpose in bringing together people for a local cause," said Rebecca Fishman Lipsey, President and CEO of The Miami Foundation. “This is exactly the kind of civic leadership we love to see from Miamians - identifying issues that matter like protecting Biscayne Bay, and mobilizing others to join in. Cupid Splash was a blast, and it brought serious resources to organizations that protect our Bay.”

Registration for the 2026 Miami Beach Cupid Splash opens soon at cupidsplash.org

Learn more at blog.cupidsplash.org

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