What started as a pandemic era way to celebrate Pride has turned into a philanthropic leader in Broward County’s LGBTQ community. FLoatarama held its second annual check presentation on Oct. 12, and the money raised will have a real impact on local organizations.
FLoatarama’s Scott Schramm and hostess FayWhat?! took the stage at Hunters Nightclub in front of a packed house, and presented $75,000 worth of grants to six organizations.
The Humanity Project received $5,000 for its anti-bullying work while Thinking Cap Theater got $10,000 its LGBTQ+ youth arts. SunServe got $20,000 for its youth services and the South Florida Pride Youth Band got $15,000. Stonewall National Archives, Museum & Library got $10,000 while National Voices for Equality, Education, and Enlightenment got $15,000.
This year’s grant total is a 50% increase over last year.
FLoatarama began in 2020 when pandemic forced large events, like Pride, to be canceled. Local boat owners organized a parade through Fort Lauderdale and the Intercoastal.
Though restrictions were eased by 2021, the event happened again. Schramm and his boating buddies decided it was time to become a registered nonprofit. FLoatarama now kicks off Pride Week in South Florida. In 2023, dozens of boats made up the flotilla, with a VIP boat leading the way.
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz served as Grand Marshal and spent the cruise talking politics and boating.
FLoatarama’s next big event is their Sights & Lights Cruise on Dec. 28.