Matthews Family Foundation Continues Dedication to Social Entrepreneurship with Sold-Out Appearance by Speaker and Humanitarian Activist Dan Pallotta in South Florida

PALM BEACH, Fla., Oct. 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Groundbreaking American entrepreneur, author, and humanitarian activist, Dan Pallotta, spoke to a sold-out crowd on September 11, 2013.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131028/PH04825)

The Matthews Family Foundation focuses on instating positive change to communities close to home. Dan Pallotta wants to change the way people think about charities. The points of view united in perfect harmony when The Matthews Family Foundation was the presenting sponsor bringing Dan Pallotta to The Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

No seat was left unfilled as the highly anticipated event kicked off with an introduction by Bob Matthews, Founder of The Matthews Family Foundation (MFF).

MFF is a strong supporter of Social Entrepreneurship. Dedicated to providing unparalleled platforms at local, regional, and global levels to highlight and advance leading models of sustainable social innovation.

Says Bob Matthews, "We (MFF) identify a select community of social entrepreneurs and engage in shaping agendas that begin by improving our local communities and in turn, positively change our world." Bob continues, "Dan Pallotta is a tremendous example of how one man's vision and efforts can transform the outreach and impact of charities and non-profits."

At the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Pallotta called it "perverse" that nonprofits are ridiculed for solid business practices that could spur their growth. For example, charities that invest in well-paid executives are called "immoral." "You've just put the nonprofit sector at the most extreme disadvantage," said Pallotta, "and you call the whole thing — charity."

Pallotta wants to free charities of restraints that keep them small and that leave huge social problems like homelessness unchanged. He wants charities to be able to invest more in marketing, IT systems and other innovations — like businesses do, so they can scale up and make a bigger difference to communities.

"Isn't the real measure of a charity its impact and effectiveness in helping solve social problems anyway?" asked Pallotta, who believes too many people focus on "overhead" as the measure of a charity's performance.

The crowd was unshakably engaged as they listened to Pallotta's message. Using examples from his vast experience, the dynamic speaker highlighted his work with well-known charitable events which have integrated his "business-like" approach and thus raised more than half a billion dollars.

At the close of his inspirational presentation, Pallotta brought the crowd to their feet with roaring applause. Many followed the event with Pallotta signing a copy of one of his best-selling books.

In addition to socially aware citizens and fans of Dan Pallotta and his works, those attending the event included leaders and board members from local, national, and international charitable organizations and non-profits.

"Not only does Dan Pallotta help transform charities, but, more importantly," says Bob Matthews, "through his outreach with these charities, he has helped positively change the lives of countless numbers of people."

About Dan Pallotta

Dan Pallotta is an American entrepreneur, author, and humanitarian activist. He is best known for creating the multi-day charitable event industry with the long-distance Breast Cancer 3-Day walks, AIDS Rides bicycle journeys, and Out of the Darkness suicide prevention night walks. Over nine years, 182,000 people participated in these events and raised $582 million. They were the subject of a Harvard Business School case study. He is the author of Uncharitable - How Restraints on Nonprofits Undermine Their Potential, the best-selling title in the history of Tufts University Press. He is also the author of Charity Case: How the Nonprofit Community Can Stand Up for Itself and Really Change the World, and When Your Moment Comes - a Guide to Fulfilling Your Dreams. He is the president of Advertising for Humanity and president and founder of the Charity Defense Council. He is a featured contributor to Harvard Business Review online.

About Matthews Family Foundation

The Matthews Family Foundation (MFF) was established by Bob and Mia Matthews and their family who reside in Palm Beach Florida. They are committed to sharing their passion for positive life outcomes with the world. The mission of the Matthews Family Foundation is to enhance the quality of life of our community. MFF grant making focuses on the areas of: Social Entrepreneurship, Health and Human Services, The Arts, and Nonprofit Education and Sector Alignment. For more information, contact Betsi Kassebaum, Media Contact email or visit http://www.matthewsfamilyfoundation.org

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Gary Truitt 
(561) 301-2424

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