[8] White Party Miami has been estimated to attract 10,000[1] to 15,000[9] people globally from the United States, South America, Canada and Europe.
[1] Attendees have included celebrities such as Ru Paul, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Calvin Klein[6] Jennifer Lopez, and Gloria Estefan,[7] and social activists such as Lauren Foster.
[10] The first White Party was organized by Miamians Frank Wager and Jorge Suarez as a fundraiser to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS,[6] a new disease[11] that was beginning to affect large numbers of people in South Florida.
[6] Artist Martin Kreloff designed the party invitation poster, which featured a little cherub blowing a horn and the words "Journey to Romance".
[8] The flagship formal event attracted tourists to South Florida during its off-season and increased attendance at local gay clubs and bars.
The organization worked with the Community Research Initiative (CRI), a Miami nonprofit supporting AIDS clinical trials of protease-inhibitor drugs, and formed Care Resource, Inc. in 1998.
[17] The White Party has received financial support from a wide range of organizations including the Government of Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami Beach, Gilead Sciences,[10] and Absolut Vodka.
[25] Fundraising has also included the sale of calendars such as "Boys on the beach", produced in 2015 by photographer Max-Arthur Mantle with part of the proceeds going to Care Resources.