Devoted donors

By Times Staff Writer
Published September 17, 2007

They're doctors, business moguls and fiscal gurus from all walks of life. In the past five years, area philanthropists have given millions to various causes and institutions. Education, medicine and the arts rank among the top three receivers. Florida ranks ninth in the country in giving, according to the Foundation Center. As fundraising season heats up, these are the faces behind some of the area's largest donations - those for whom the motto "you can't take it with you" rings most true. 

89 Percentage of U.S. households that give

$1,620 Average annual contributionWhy they give: 86 percent of wealthy donors said they are most motivated to give by the notion of "meeting critical needs" and 83 percent said "giving back to society" is motivational. Where they give: 80 percent of wealthy donors surveyed said they are most likely to make contributions to educational organizations, with religious (72%) and health organizations (70%) following in popularity.

Source: National Philanthropic Trust

Businessman William R. and Hazel Houghe, St. Petersburg

$34-million:

- $30-million to University of Florida for its Warrington College of Business, January 2007

- $3-million to Palladium Theater endowment fund, 2007

- $1-million to the University of Florida's Hough Program in Finance, 2005

Businessman Miles C. and Parker Collierof Naples

$25-million:

- Eckerd College, 2006

Drs. Kiran and Pallavi Patele, Tampa

$26.5-million:

- $18.5-million to the University of South Florida, 2005

- $5-million to the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 2002

- $3-million to University Community Hospital

Entrepreneur Donald A. Adame, Ocala

$20.4-million:

- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 2007

[Last modified September 16, 2007, 23:59:20]