Swanee and Paul DiMare are among our community’s most dedicated philanthropists. Separately and together, they have had a far-reaching impact on numerous organizations and have helped many with their generosity of spirit, time and treasure. The unifying theme of their generosity is the advancement of Miami as a city.
A native of Massachusetts, Paul has lived and worked in South Florida for more than 50 years. He is president of seven DiMare family corporations and is one of the largest fresh-market tomato growers in the country. He is also the founder and administrator of the Paul J. DiMare Foundation. Paul has received countless honors, including the Southeast Produce Council’s 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award, Agriculturist of the Year by the Dade County Farm Bureau, 2016 Florida Farmer of the Year and is a Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame inductee. Nationally, Paul received the American Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year Award in 2007 and the coveted Ellis Island Award in 2014.
Paul has served as a board or trustee member of 1st National Bank of South Florida, Baptist Health Foundation, Jackson Health Foundation, United Way of Miami-Dade and others. He is chairman of Florida Farmers and is actively involved with Farm Share, a nonprofit working to alleviate hunger by recovering and distributing fresh food to those most in need.
A lifelong Miami resident, Swanee is an active community volunteer and supporter of a wide range of organizations including, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Miami City Ballet and Women of Tomorrow among others. She is a founding lifetime member of the American Red Cross Tiffany Circle, Society of Women Leaders; a United Way Women United member; and has served on committees and as gala chair or co-chair for many charitable organizations.
Swanee and Paul’s support for the arts, science and education has helped Miami forge ahead and provide new opportunities for its residents. Their belief that advancement starts with education propelled them to give generously to the University of Miami. At the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, the Swanee and Paul DiMare Stage highlights the many outstanding performances held at the Knight Concert Hall, and the Paul and Swanee DiMare Science Village at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden hopes to inspire interest in the next generation of Miami-born biologists.