Bay Harbor Islands • Miami-Dade County • Chartered 2019

Elevating Human Potential Through Generational Vision, Cultural Grace, and Enduring Beneficence.

Under the stewardship of Erica Wertheim Zohar, alongside visionary physician-inventor Dr. Herbert A. Wertheim and Lior Z. Zohar, the foundation deploys private endowed capital to catalyze breakthrough medical research, advance higher education, empower women and children, and preserve the cultural fabric of South Florida.

Biscayne Bay coastal horizon reflecting serene South Florida waters and island architecture
Bay Harbor Islands Headquarters

"Where generational wisdom meets transformative modern civic investment."

Fiduciary Overview

The Endowment Ledger Capsule

01

Statutory Charter

Incorporated under Florida Sunbiz #N19000010682 in October 2019; IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status confirmed May 2020.

02

Wertheim Philanthropic Lineage

Direct continuity of Dr. Herbert A. Wertheim's landmark investments in academic medicine, optical engineering, and university discovery.

03

100% Trustee-Directed Capital

Private grantmaking model executing targeted programmatic awards without public solicitation or intermediary overhead.

04

Florida Regional Core

Centering grants in Miami-Dade, Broward, and statewide initiatives elevating human potential and civic resilience.

Headquarters: Bay Harbor Islands, FL Explore Verticals →
Generational Continuity & Impact

A Distinguished Heritage of Transformative Generosity and Civic Stewardship.

The Wertheim family name represents one of the most transformative philanthropic legacies in American history. Renowned scientist, clinician, and entrepreneur Dr. Herbert A. Wertheim revolutionized optical technologies and dedicated hundreds of millions of dollars to endow collegiate colleges of medicine, engineering, and the arts—including landmark naming gifts at Florida International University (Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine) and the University of Florida (Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering).

Chartered in Bay Harbor Islands in 2019, the Erica Wertheim Zohar Family Foundation extends this noble tradition into the next century under the visionary leadership of President Erica Wertheim Zohar. Blending international business acumen, literary scholarship, and deep devotion to community wellness, the foundation focuses on high-leverage charitable interventions that elevate women, nurture emerging artistic talent, support pediatric medicine, and foster intellectual curiosity.

2019 Foundation Inception
501(c)(3) Private Foundation
100% Endowed Capital
Architectural arches of an endowed university library and educational center
Academic & Cultural Legacy

"Knowledge and art are the twin pillars through which human dignity is preserved and amplified."

Fiduciary Charter

Foundation Mission Statement

“ Erica Wertheim Zohar Family Foundation Inc. is a Bay Harbor Islands, Florida 501(c)(3) private grantmaking foundation dedicated to perpetuating a generational legacy of visionary philanthropy. We deploy strategic private capital to elevate educational excellence, expand pediatric and women's health access, champion cultural enrichment, and strengthen community resilience across South Florida. Guided by integrity, innovation, and civic responsibility, we invest in transformative public charities that ignite lasting human flourishing. ”
Charter Document #N19000010682 • Section 501(c)(3) Private Foundation • Bay Harbor Islands, FL
Ethical Foundations

The Five Guiding Principles of the Family Trust

Our governance and capital allocation decisions adhere strictly to five pillars formulated to ensure permanent generational impact and civic excellence.

I

Generational Foresight

Investing in systemic, enduring solutions rather than fleeting symptoms. We structure capital grants to establish permanent institutional capacity, endowed chairs, and long-range public benefit.

II

Civic & Cultural Elevation

Preserving artistic and humanistic excellence. We believe that fine arts, literature, and architectural heritage refine the human spirit and elevate the cultural stature of Miami-Dade County.

III

Health & Scientific Discovery

Honoring the Wertheim medical heritage. We champion visionary medical research, clinical technology, and preventative pediatric care that eliminate barriers to vitality for underrepresented populations.

IV

Empowerment of Women & Youth

Unlocking tomorrow’s leaders. We fund educational mentorship, entrepreneurship initiatives, and creative writing programs designed to empower women, young scholars, and resilient families.

V

Uncompromising Fiduciary Stewardship

Transparent, high-impact giving. As an IRS-designated private grantmaking foundation, every dollar deployed undergoes thorough programmatic review and metrics-based accountability.

Programmatic Focus

Strategic Grantmaking Pillars

Directing private capital endowments to four primary philanthropic verticals across South Florida and national partner institutions.

University graduation and collegiate scholars
Vertical 01 • Education

Higher Education & Academic Opportunity Grants

Underwriting university endowments, specialized fellowships, and access programs for deserving scholars. Continuing the Wertheim family legacy of partnering with premier research institutions to remove economic friction for first-generation university graduates.

Undergraduate & Post-Graduate Support • Endowed Capital
Physician and healthcare laboratory research
Vertical 02 • Healthcare

Community Wellness & Healthcare Initiatives

Partnering with premier medical and pediatric care foundations to enhance public wellness, clinical trial access, and preventative care centers. Translating medical innovation into immediate relief for families facing complex diagnoses.

Pediatric & Preventative Care • Clinical Grants
Women leadership roundtable and executive discussion
Vertical 03 • Empowerment

Women's Leadership & Economic Mobility

Empowering female entrepreneurs, writers, and community advocates through structured mentorship programs, literary fellowships, and seed grants. Reflecting Erica Wertheim Zohar’s championing of women’s creative self-determination.

Mentorship & Micro-Grants • Civic Catalyst
Contemporary museum gallery with fine art exhibition
Vertical 04 • Culture

Fine Arts, Culture & South Florida Heritage

Supporting world-class artistic consorts, museum exhibitions, symphony programs, and architectural preservation across South Florida. Nurturing the vibrant creative spirit that defines Miami as an international cultural crossroads.

Museums & Performing Arts • Cultural Endowment
Media & Archival Spotlight

The Wertheim Philanthropic Vision in Motion

Documenting the transformative impact of generational philanthropy, university medical school endowments, and the power of catalytic private capital.

Archival Feature: Endowing Generations of Discovery & Community Wellness
Bay Harbor Islands, FL • Educational Archival Series
Governing Directorate

Board of Trustees & Officers

As chartered under Florida Sunbiz Document #N19000010682 and recorded in IRS Form 990-PF governance filings.

Erica Wertheim Zohar, President and Philanthropist
President • Trustee

Erica Wertheim Zohar

Author, luxury business strategist, lifestyle journalist, and dedicated philanthropist. Erica spearheads the foundation's strategic direction, curating high-impact community investments in pediatric wellness, women's entrepreneurship, and fine arts preservation across Florida.

Executive Officer Contact →
Dr. Herbert A. Wertheim, Director, Distinguished Scientist & Philanthropist
Director • Visionary Benefactor

Dr. Herbert A. Wertheim

Distinguished clinician, scientist, optical engineer, and billionaire benefactor. Founder of Brain Power Inc. (BPI) and signatory to The Giving Pledge. Dr. Wertheim infuses the foundation with decades of experience in institutional university endowments and medical research advocacy.

Founding Director Trustee Emeritus
Lior Z. Zohar, Director and Registered Agent
Director • Registered Agent

Lior Z. Zohar

Director and Registered Agent of the foundation. Provides executive operational stewardship, ensuring rigorous statutory compliance, real estate endowment integrity, and active coordination with financial audit partners and legal counsel in Bay Harbor Islands.

Fiduciary Director Registered Agent
Public Inspection Ledger

Statutory Transparency & Governance

Federal tax records, Florida Sunbiz corporate status, and annual return filings.

Federal Employer ID (EIN) 84-4027805 ✓ Verified 501(c)(3) Status
Florida Sunbiz Doc # N19000010682 ✓ Active Status (Inc. 10/2019)
NTEE Tax Classification T20 / T22 Private Grantmaking Foundation
Statutory Address 9410 West Broadview Dr Bay Harbor Islands, FL 33154

Notice Regarding Unsolicited Grant Proposals

The Erica Wertheim Zohar Family Foundation Inc. operates exclusively as a private grantmaking foundation under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). In accordance with trustee governance guidelines, grant disbursements are initiated and directed solely by the Board of Trustees in alignment with our predefined programmatic focuses. We do not accept or review unsolicited grant requests, public funding appeals, or loan applications.