Eric Dalius

Eric Dalius is a retired marketing and real estate professional based in Miami, Florida, but with several homes throughout the country. He graduated from Penn State University in 1992, majoring in Marketing. During his career, he facilitated over $100 million in deals. With a passion for education and a small personal fortune, he founded the Eric J. Dalius Foundation in 2018. His foundation has focused on increasing access to post-secondary education through scholarships and grants.

Dalius is a strong believer in the power of education to change lives for the better. College graduates earn approximately $55,000 per year while those with a high school education only earn $23,500. These greater earnings can lead to financial independence as well as stimulating the local economy by buying large purchases like homes and cars.

Eric Dalius is a proud Miami resident who shares his thoughts and recommendations about his hometown with readers.

What is your job title?

I’m retired, but I spend a great deal of time working on my foundation, the Eric J. Dalius Foundation. I am passionate about supporting deserving and needy students who want to attend accredited colleges and universities in the United States.

How long have you been in business?

My foundation began in June 2018. It’s been an exciting new venture. I came up with the idea when I was constantly searching for qualified graduates to work under me. I had a difficult time finding the workforce I needed. I realized that not enough people were graduating from college and that they needed financial support to get there.

Are there any unique challenges in your industry?

The price of higher education is skyrocketing. It has outpaced inflation by over 500 percent since 1985. These high costs are preventing many intelligent students from attending college. This represents wasted potential. It is my hope that my foundation will be able to help many underserved students.

Do you have any particular challenges that you personally address?

I feel fortunate that I am able to give money directly to scholarship applicants. My goal is to give away $50,000 this year. I believe this is attainable. Every dollar helps when someone is going away to college.

Is your industry growing, shrinking or remaining the same?

It’s difficult to say. I believe that charitable giving is actually shrinking across the United States. Companies are more interested in their profits than in supporting local causes. It’s a shame. I wish that more successful business people would join me in setting up their own foundations.

How does technology impact your organization?

We find most of our applicants online. It is so easy for people to fill out scholarship applications and ask important questions. Without Internet listings, people would have to go back to printed directories of scholarship opportunities, which could be out of date or incorrect.

Have you ever been to Miami?

I am a proud Miami resident. I love it here. I moved here several years ago, and I have been so impressed with the vibrancy of the area. It is a large metropolitan area with a lot of different neighborhoods. The contrast between the different areas makes the city diverse and exciting.

What part of Miami?

I have explored all around the city and the surrounding towns.

Did you visit any particular locations including restaurants?

I’d love to share my favorite restaurants with your readers. The newest place I have tried is the Jim and Neesie. It’s a contemporary space with a younger clientele. I love their cacio e pepe with truffle.

My favorite restaurant in Miami Beach is A Fish Called Avalon. The seafood is amazing, and I love the outside dining area. It’s located in the Avalon Hotel.

When friends and family come to visit, I put them up in the Mondrian South Beach Hotel. It is a fun place with a lot of great amenities and activities. You can even watch boxing there.

Would you come back?

I never want to leave.

Was it a business or pleasure trip?

I first came down here several years ago on a business trip, and I immediately fell in love with the area. Within a year, I had bought a place and moved my base of operations to Miami Beach.