In November 2018, the first annual Celebrity Soccer Match (CBSM) supporting Best Buddies, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities was held in Miami Beach.
The CBSM is an event where celebrities, soccer stars, models, and Best Buddies gathered for a unique, fun-filled day of curated events. The event activations included 7-on-7 friendly matches, celebrity meet-and-greets, children's clinics, soccer training fitness classes, showcases, and brand activations.
On June 28, 2019, at the Finance and Citywide Projects Committee (FCWP) meeting, FCWP approved and recommended the waiver of the special event permit fees, in the amount not to exceed $20,226.49 for the 2019 CBSM.
On November 23, 2019, the event was held in the sand bowl east of the Unidad North Beach Senior Center at 7251 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL.
On September 25, 2019, the Mayor and City Commission adopted Resolution No 2019-31002, accepting the FWPC recommendation and waiving the special event permits fees in the amount not to exceed $20,226.49.
The special event fees included, but were not limited to, $250.00 application fee; $250.00 permit fee; $750 in vehicle beach access passes; $6,600 in square footage fees; $2,630.50 in staffing the City's Police Department fees; $1,340.24 in Building Department permit fees; and $1,530 in staffing the Fire Department fees.
During the March 17, 2021, City Commission meeting, Commissioner Meiner requested this item be referred to the Finance and Resiliency Committee (FERC) for discussion. Commissioner Meiner shared that the CBSM would like to host a 2021 event in Miami Beach, as it did in 2018 and 2019. The proceeds of the 2021 event will provide monetary support to the Education Foundation.
CBSM's new event partner, the Education Foundation, is the nonprofit affiliate of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce (MBCC). The Education Foundation provides education opportunities and access to medical attention for children by offering scholarships and grants to students and teachers in Miami Beach and feeder pattern schools.
On March 17, 2021, the City Commission referred this to the March 26, 2021, FERC meeting.
During the March 26, 2021, FERC meeting, the item was deferred to April 30, 2021, FERC meeting, and the Administration was directed to conduct due diligence on the proposed event and make a recommendation.
On March 31, 2021, Alex Avellanet, former partner of CBSM, contacted staff via email to notify them that she was no longer associated with CBSM. CBSM's Soccer Match, LLC was voluntarily dissolved on March 9, 2021.
On April 13, 2021, CBSM and MBCC contacted staff and notified them that the MBCC, through the Education Foundation, Inc (a 501c3), an MBCC run nonprofit organization, will be the applicant for the CBSM event on November 20, 2021.
On April 16, 2021, staff met with Best Buddies as directed by the FERC to discuss the 2019 donation by CBSM to Best Buddies. Best Buddies gave CBSM a favorable recommendation as a partner in the event.
Best Buddies reported the donation from the 2019 CBSM event, including soft credits from live and silent auction plus cash donations, was $27,070.00.
- Live auction soft credits: $11,500
- Silent auction soft credits: $1,205
- Cash donations: $750 (night of the event)
- Pre-event donations: $13, 615 (cash donations – collected at the Soccer Tournament)
- Total cash donations $14,365.