The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) is expanding its reach in Florida, thanks to the efforts of Maggie Potter and Misty Carson — two Tampa-based professionals who are leading the launch of a statewide chapter focused on philanthropy, volunteerism and community impact.
Potter and Carson, both longtime insurance industry professionals and community advocates, were selected by IICF leadership to spearhead the launch of the Florida chapter after years of involvement with organizations like the Association of Professional Insurance Women and the Pace Center for Girls.
Their goal? To build a board of passionate professionals committed to giving back to communities across Florida through service projects, fundraising events and nonprofit partnerships, with a particular emphasis on youth, homelessness and veterans.
“Philanthropy has always been important to us,” Carson said. “But we wanted to make an even bigger impact — and IICF gave us that opportunity.”
Founded more than 30 years ago, IICF has contributed more than $50 million in community grants and $12 million in volunteer service hours across its divisions in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. Florida is the latest region to begin forming a chapter, with a full statewide launch targeted for January 2026.
This year, Potter and Carson are focused on finalizing a founding board of 12 to 25 members. As of early May, they had already secured 8 to 10 commitments, with additional prospects in the pipeline.
Their first service project is planned for the fall — a meal-packing event to benefit local food-insecure residents. The board hopes to pack and distribute 20,000 meals through Tampa Bay–area shelters.
“While we’re planning one big fundraising gala per year, we also want to make hands-on, immediate contributions,” Potter said. “It’s not just about writing checks — it’s about rolling up our sleeves.”
The Florida chapter’s flagship event — what they’re calling the “Giving Gala” — is slated for late Q1 or early Q2 of 2027. It will be held annually, in the Tampa Bay area, to avoid overlapping with hurricane season and other major local events.
Eventually, the pair envisions that Florida’s chapter will evolve into a full IICF division, with localized branches in Miami, Central Florida and Jacksonville. For now, the Tampa Bay area will serve as the chapter’s headquarters.
“We want this to be something that lasts—something that lives on in our communities for years to come,” Potter said.
Board members will have the opportunity to nominate local nonprofits for grant support, with the group planning in-person site visits before voting on which organizations to fund. The effort will prioritize locally based charities over national groups, to ensure the dollars raised stay in the community.
Among the causes already being considered: Pace Center for Girls, veteran support programs and hurricane recovery initiatives. In addition to IICF focuses internationally on alleviating childhood food insecurity along with other critical areas that are common across five divisions, including children at-risk and housing insecurity.
Insurance may seem like an unlikely space for philanthropy, but it is a natural extension for insurance professionals to be involved in charitable giving and volunteerism and giving back to the communities where they work, Potter says.
“I don’t think insurance gets enough credit for how charitable it truly is,” she said. “There are so many people in this industry who remember what it was like to struggle — and they want to give others the opportunity to rise, too.”
Potter agreed, pointing to a shared philosophy that guides their work: “A rising tide lifts all boats.”
For those interested in getting involved — whether through board service, corporate sponsorship or providing space for events — Potter and Carson encourage reaching out, adding that Sarah Conway, IICF’s Florida Chapter executive director, is another resource.
“We’re building a longer table,” Carson said. “And there’s room for anyone who wants to give back with heart and purpose.”
