CARBONELL AWARDS Names OUR FUND FOUNDATION as Winner of Vinnette Carroll Award 2026

BOCA RATON, Fla. - Aug. 4, 2026 - PRLog -- (South Florida – August 4, 2026) Gary Schweikhart, board president of the Carbonell Awards, South Florida's Theater & Arts Honors, today announced the recipient of the fourth of nine Special Awards that will be presented at the 49^th annual Carbonell Awards Ceremony on Monday, November 16, at 7:30 pm at FAU's University Theatre in Boca Raton 33431.

"While we will be honoring specific people and productions in 20 competitive categories from approximately 100 shows presented between September 2025 and August 2026, the Carbonell board of directors has unanimously voted to also bestow this Special Award," said Schweikhart.

The Vinnette Carroll Award

For Outstanding Achievement in Advancing Diversity, Equality & Inclusion in South Florida Theatre

Our Fund Foundation

The Our Fund Foundation is South Florida's LGBTQ community foundation, dedicated to building a more inclusive region by connecting philanthropy with purpose. Founded in 2011 and based in Wilton Manors, Our Fund stewards $30 million in assets and awards approximately $2.5 million annually to nonprofit organizations serving the LGBTQ community and its allies. From the arts to social services, Our Fund invests in organizations that ensure every South Floridian — regardless of who they are or whom they love — can see themselves reflected, represented, and celebrated. Our Fund is proud to support a theatre community where inclusion isn't an aspiration, but a standard.

Previous winners of this award include Michel Hausman, co-founder and artistic director of Miami New Drama (2025); director, actor, and college educator John Pryor (2024); Christina Alexander & Katie Christie, for leading the South Florida Theatre League's Anti-racism Theatre Strategies Cohorts (2023); and Marshall L. Davis, who served for nearly 40 years as managing director of the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center (AHCAC) in Miami's Liberty City (2022).

Attached Image:

Our Fund Foundation grant recipients (L-R) Zaylin Yates (Brévo Theatre), Dennis Dean (Arts United), G Wright (Blinc), Martin Childers (Island City Stage), and Carol Wartenberg (Lesbian Thespians)

(Photo Credit: Carina Mask)

Available for Interview:

David Jobin, President & CEO

Our Fund Foundation

954.565.1090 / djobin@theourfund.org

Media Contact:

Gary Schweikhart, President

The Carbonell Board of Directors

561.756.4298 / gary@pr-bs.net