JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 6, 2015 – The Gasper and Irene Lazzara Family Foundation announces it has launched a new website as it continues its commitment to funding programs in Northeast Florida and beyond. Founded in 1997, the Foundation has given more than $15 million in donations, grants and gifts to worthy organizations.

The Lazzara Family Foundation, based in Ponte Vedra, was founded by Dr. Gasper Lazzara and Mrs. Irene Lazzara. It has a longstanding vision of funding projects focusing on the arts, education and the emotional and physical health challenges in the community. Funding is supported by commitments from the family, including the Lazzara’s five children as well as the next generation of their business entities.

“We are looking forward to the next generation of our funding commitments,” said Dr. Lazzara. “The Family Foundation will continue to support worthwhile organizations and projects in the community. We are proud to say many of our children live here in Northeast Florida and are active supporters of the Foundation as the next generation of Lazzara philanthropists.”

Notable contributions include the naming of several transformational programs in the Jacksonville area. The Lazzara Family Foundation provided initial funding and ongoing funding for the Lazzara Health Sciences Center at Jacksonville University, the Lazzara Performance Hall at the University of North Florida, the Gasper and Irene Lazzara Scholarship Program at Edward Waters College, and the Lazzara Family Scholarship Endowment in Performing Arts at the University of North Florida. The Foundation also established and funded the Lazzara Center for Oral-Facial Health at the University of Colorado.

The Foundation recently made a $100,000 commitment to the Campaign for a Compassionate Community for the Jacksonville Humane Society (JHS). The JHS is planning to build a $15 million facility that will offer new and expanded space and facilities for adoptions, care and services. The organization’s current gift will support adoption rooms in the new facility.