Marcus and Braden Sanford gave $1 million to Gulliver Preparatory School in their first year as parents there.

The gift, announced Tuesday, will permanently name the Sanford Arts Plaza inside the planned Arts + Innovation Center on the Upper School Campus. The couple has four children enrolled in the Primary and Lower School.

Arts plaza anchors planned STEAM Complex

The 58,000-square-foot center will connect science, technology, engineering and math with the arts and creative problem-solving, according to the project announcement. Construction is scheduled to begin in December. Work on a companion building, the 32,000-square-foot STEM Commons with 16 new classrooms and laboratories, began in May. Together, the two buildings will form the STEAM Complex.

Gift part of $100 million campaign

The donation counts toward The Next 100: The Centennial Campaign for Gulliver, a $100 million effort set to wrap up by 2030. The campaign launched at the 2026 Gala, where more than 650 parents, alumni, friends, faculty and staff gathered. Gifts of $100,000 or more earn recognition through the Centennial Society.

Founded in 1926 in Coconut Grove, Gulliver is marking 100 years across campuses in Coral Gables and Pinecrest. It serves about 2,200 students in pre-K through 12th grade.

The Sanfords said in a video posted on the school's website that they were drawn to its commitment to the arts and a well-rounded education. Gulliver has not disclosed how much the effort has raised so far.

Upcoming in the community

• Sept. 25: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden hosts its Moonlight Garden evening.