Jon Allen
Community Hero
In Paradise for Good – December 28, 2020
Jon Allen made an impact on Key West in business, civic and philanthropic spheres. He and his late partner bought the run-down Island House in the late ‘90s and transformed it into “the best gay resort in the world.” The Lodging Association named Island House the “Lodging Property of the Year” in 2003.
Jon served on the board of the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys from 2006-2014. He was a top donor and started the Island House Fund to support charitable and educational activities benefiting gay youth and adults in Key West. Jon was the Community Foundation’s board chair from 2007-2010 and was so beloved that the other directors pitched in their own money to create a Chair’s Award Fund in his honor. The fund makes possible a grant of choice for outgoing chairs at the end of their service to the Community Foundation. Jon chose the Friends of the Aids Memorial, which he had helped found. Jon also chaired the boards of the Tropic Cinema and the Tourist Development Council’s District Advisory Council for Key West.
Jon’s husband Bobi LoreÌ now continues Jon’s commitment to keeping our community vibrant, through his continued proprietorship of Island House and philanthropic support of Key West.
Thank you, Jon, for Leaving a Legacy in Key West and the Florida Keys.