Beyond the Courtroom: How Morgan & Morgan Gives Back to Local Communities

For nearly four decades, Morgan & Morgan has been protecting individuals and their families. Even as we’ve expanded our reach nationwide, we remain dedicated to each of our local communities. We recognize our responsibility to the cities and towns we call home and take part in aiding our neighbors, as an extension of our own family.

Here are some of the causes Morgan & Morgan supports to help local communities thrive.

Food Security: Morgan & Morgan Hunger Relief Center

The Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida aims to raise awareness of hunger and poverty by developing unique strategies for individual counties. The organization collects and distributes food to over 500 nonprofit partners throughout Central Florida. Our firm has long respected and admired the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida’s efforts to end hunger, so in 2013, we committed to building them a new food storage facility.

The 100,000-square-foot facility, dubbed the Morgan & Morgan Hunger Relief Center, is equipped to handle millions of pounds
of food that would otherwise be turned away due to overflow. We provided coolers, freezers, and infrastructure that allow for significantly more storage space. John and Ultima Morgan donated $2 million to the cause, and an estimated $1.4 billion in food will be stored there over the next 20 years.

Housing: Coalition For The Homeless

The Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida is a social services organization that feeds and shelters the homeless, providing safe spaces and meals for 500 people and drop-in services for up to 100 houseless people per day.

Soaring housing costs and the end of pandemic-era stimulus support have contributed to a dire housing crisis. From 2022 to 2023, there was a record spike in homelessness in the U.S. According to the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, there are 17 affordable rental units for every 100 low-income households.

With this in mind, the Morgan family topped last year’s $200,000 fundraising campaign and committed to raising $1 million through a matching campaign centered around Veteran’s Day. Matt Morgan donated $250,000 and John and Ultima Morgan matched that donation, directly supporting hundreds of families throughout Central Florida.

Advocacy: Florida for a Fair Wage

John Morgan is the Chairman of Florida for a Fair Wage, the committee dedicated to raising Florida’s minimum wage from $11 to $15 per hour. He donated a majority of the $4.15 million that the group raised to get the amendment onto the ballot for 2020, and the organization gathered numerous signatures in support. The amendment, which passed on November 9th, 2020, will raise Florida’s minimum wage to $15 by 2026.

Survivor Support: Harbor House Domestic Abuse Shelter

Everyone deserves a safe place where they can be protected from violence. Unfortunately, there is limited room in domestic abuse shelters, and these spaces are sometimes closed down due to hazardous conditions. By partnering with the Harbor House Domestic Abuse Shelter, we’ve created more safe space for those who need it. The Morgan & Morgan Home: A Safe Haven for Families is a 27,500-square-foot, 20- room facility that houses 120 beds, two kitchens, and two bulletproof safe rooms. John and Ultima Morgan donated $1 million of the $7.4 million construction costs.

Fundraising: Make-A-Wish’s Orlando Walk For Wishes

Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has been making dreams come true for children with life-threatening conditions. Make-A- Wish Central and Northern Florida have granted thousands of wishes since 1994, and the Morgan family is proud to be a sponsor. The Orlando Walk for Wishes is an annual charity walk to raise funds for Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida. Matt Morgan sponsors the walk every year, with 2024 marking his 17th iteration. As both a father and a lifelong Orlando resident, this cause is particularly special to Matt. A highlight of the night was the announcement that Matt Morgan and the Morgan family had matched all the donations made during the event. The result? A staggering $389,499 was raised which enabled the granting of 48 wishes through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Community: Community Bail Fund

The criminal justice system is far from a level playing field, and the odds are often stacked against low-level, nonviolent offenders—many of whom cannot afford to post bail. Those who can’t afford bail are incarcerated until their trial. That means they aren’t able to work or pay their rent, which could result in job loss and even homelessness. The bail system has a disproportionately negative effect on low-income people. In February 2020, Matt Morgan launched the Community Bail Fund to combat this injustice and level the field.

The Fund aims to help low-level, nonviolent offenders get released on bail before their trial so they can avoid the potentially life- altering outcomes of incarceration. The Morgan family has pledged to match every dollar donated to the Community Bail Fund up to $250,000. Since its inception, the Fund has assisted over 375 Floridians, whose bonds totaled more than $600,000.

Advocacy: Florida For Care: Medical Marijuana

Medical marijuana legalization is especially personal for the Morgans—it helped both John’s father and his brother with their conditions. While powerful pain medications have been linked to widespread addiction as well as harmful side effects, medical marijuana has emerged as a safer alternative for alleviating or reducing a range of symptoms. That’s why we joined United for Care’s fight for medical marijuana legalization in 2013. We set out to collect enough signatures (over 700,000) to get medical marijuana legalization on the 2014 ballot in Florida. Although it made the ballot, the votes fell just 2% shy of the necessary 60%. We tried again in 2016 with even more support, and the bill passed with 71% of the necessary votes. Although it took almost four years and millions of dollars, we succeeded in facilitating the legalization of medical marijuana in Florida.

John Morgan is affectionately known in Florida as “Pot Daddy.” We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to make some fun swag with the moniker.

Local Volunteering

Here are other ways we effect change on the ground:

Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Camp, Elks Camp, Umatilla, FL

Every summer, kids with neuromuscular diseases attend life- changing overnight camps around the U.S. at no cost to their families. Our team provided karaoke, swag wheel and loaded the pool with exciting pool toys and games.

Bishop Moore Golf Scramble, Orlando/Edgewater, FL

Bishop Moore Catholic High School is the alma mater of some of the Morgan family, which is why Matt Morgan wanted to sponsor the school’s charity golf scramble. The scramble raised money for Bishop Moore’s sports programs. We set up a tent on Hole “4 The People” and provided golf balls and sweat towels to the golfers.

Matanzas Beach Popups/ Cleanups, St. Augustine, FL

In celebration of World Oceans Day, Morgan & Morgan’s St. Augustine and Jacksonville offices teamed up with the non-profit Matanzas Riverkeeper for a beach and park cleanup event. Our team, alongside volunteers from the community, collected over 25 pounds of trash.

Walk MS, Orlando/Baldwin Park, FL

Morgan & Morgan recently joined the Walk MS event with a heartfelt commitment to support those affected by multiple sclerosis (MS). The event brought together volunteers who shared a common goal: to make a difference in the lives of individuals and families impacted by MS.

305 Day, Miami, FL

For the second time, Morgan & Morgan sponsored this event celebrating Miami’s culture in Wynwood Arts District.

200th Anniversary St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Savannah, GA

Morgan & Morgan hosted a pre-parade party to kick off the festivities in style. Our float was a crowd favorite, drawing cheers and applause as it made its way through the streets of Savannah.

Dan Morgan’s M&M Backpack Giveaway, Sanford, FL

Dan Morgan and UCF Basketball Player CJ Walker teamed up to distribute school supplies, sports equipment, immunization information, and more. Over 300 backpacks were distributed.

Walk For Wishes, Jacksonville, FL

Our team worked with the Morgan & Morgan Jacksonville office to make the 9th Walk For Wishes even more memorable. We provided one-of- a-kind airbrushed shoes for all the kids who attended, which were a huge success. The event raised over $126,000 to grant 16 wishes locally.

Space Coast Pet Fest, Cocoa Beach, FL

The event, in its inaugural year, proved to be a delightful gathering for pet lovers and their four-legged companions. Morgan & Morgan eagerly signed on as a sponsor to support this community event that celebrates the joy of pet ownership.

107.7 Easter Egg Hunt, Longwood, FL

Springtime festivities were in full bloom as Morgan & Morgan hosted an exclusive Easter egg hunt in Historic Downtown Longwood, Florida. Families from near and far gathered for a day filled with fun, laughter, and plenty of surprises.

Children’s Gasparilla, Tampa, FL

This pirate-themed event was dedicated to the children of Tampa. Morgan & Morgan sponsored the event and handed out bright yellow pirate foam swords and hats.

Second Harvest, Orlando, FL

Our call center team helped box and sort food that goes out to families in need. On average, about 200 boxes are assembled during a single volunteer shift.

Rock for Autism

This event raises money for nonPareil which is a post-secondary, not-for-profit organization that serves adults with autism spectrum disorder. They provide training that enables people to acquire skills that will enhance their ability to live a more productive and independent life.