The Betsy is a socially conscious business with a 21st Century commitment to helping neighbors locally, nationally and internationally.

Less than 9 months after opening, Miami Modern Luxury magazine highlighted philanthropy, arts, and culture programs at The Betsy-South Beach in an article called "Rooms for Change," documenting a unique commitment to good works. In an article called "Citizen Hoteliers" that appeared in Hotels magazine, hotel Chairman Jonathan Plutzik said, "When we started doing the hotel, we felt strongly — both as a business and a personal matter — that the hotel establish itself as a philanthropic charitable force."

The Betsy is involved in supporting the Zara Center for AIDS Impacted Children in Zimbabwe, and served as Executive Producer of the 2009 USA Tour of performing artist Prudence Mabhena and Liyana, which led to the Oscar-Award winning movie, "Music by Prudence."  On Veterans Day 2010, The Betsy supported a year-long project to honor Veterans and their families, which culminated in a video homage.

The Betsy was also proud to work with the NYC-based Museum of Arts and Design and with Ruinart Champagne on a powerful and globally relevant project for Art Basel 2010, featuring images from the show Global Africa, and the commissioning of ten new works by emerging American artists.

Literature is the cornerstone of arts programming at The Betsy South Beach with a legacy rooted in the work of the late poet Hyam Plutzik (1911-1962), a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, and father of Chairman, Jonathan Plutzik. Each room at the hotel has a small library of poetry and other books, and a poetry bookmark is placed on each guest’s pillow every night. In April 2011, for National Poetry Month, The Betsy served as the host hotel for O, Miami, the regional poetry program organized by the University of Wynwood and sponsored by the Knight Foundation.

The Betsy is also host for the 2011 Holocaust Education project sponsored by HKLAW, featuring Edward James Olmos, and of the JAHLIT symposium on Jewish American and Holocaust Literature and will also welcome and celebrate the work of author Peter Godwin at the Miami Book Fair International, in Fall 2011.

An emerging partnership with the Division of Undergraduate Education at University of Miami, and a continued and enriched partnership with the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, and Alonzo Mourning Charities are among a range of new and important initiatives for 2012.

REQUESTS FOR SUPPORT: The Betsy does NOT accept unsolicited requests of support for nonprofit causes. However, the Betsy accepts requests for in-kind donations from organizations operating in arenas including but not limited to education, human rights, conservation, global understanding, and youth programs. For more information, contact Jean Villamizar, Manager for Marketing & Philanthropy at Jean@thebetsyhotel.com

Scroll down to see Betsy’s videos to honor veterans created in partnership with the
John Lennon Educational Tour Bus in a project to pay homage to those who serve.

2011/12 Season Programming

Click here to download our extensive List of Events for 2011/2012 season at The Betsy-South Beach with our community partners, as part of The Betsy's commitment to the power of Philanthropy, Arts, and Culture to make the world a better place.

HONORING VETERANS

Our message to Vets, “You are not alone…”

Five minute ‘video short’ version of Veterans Project, 2009-2010

Full, 20 minute art homage, called ‘Nothing Can Be Done But Something Can Be Said’,
Premiered Nov 11, 2010 – at The Betsy

Plum TV New Face of Philanthropy: