September 18, 2024
$175,000 Awarded to Central Florida Nonprofits at 2024 Community Giving Celebration
By Cindy Peterson
$175,000 Awarded to Central Florida Nonprofits at 2024 Community Giving Celebration
The Addition Financial Foundation delivered big checks and even bigger smiles today to ten Central Florida nonprofit organizations during their 3rd annual Community Giving Celebration at the Addition Financial Arena on the University of Central Florida campus. The Foundation donated a total of $175,000 in unrestricted funds to a wide-ranging group of local nonprofits making an impact in the community.
The Addition Financial Foundation, established in 2021, is the philanthropic arm of Lake Mary-based Addition Financial Credit Union. Team members from Addition Financial nominated each of the local 501(c)(3) organizations honored by the Foundation for the work they do to benefit areas such as youth, education, underserved communities, and economic development.
Ten organizations make up the 2024 Community Giving Class:
- Children’s Safety Village of Central Florida
- Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center
- Inspire of Central Florida
- Kick Off for Kids
- Lake County Sheriff’s Charities
- Nuevo Sendero
- Pet Rescue by Judy
- TGI – The Greatest Investment Girls Empowerment Program
- United Against Poverty
- Vision of Flight
“What we aim to do with each year’s Community Giving Class goes so far beyond a check,” said Cristina Lehman, Executive Director of the Addition Financial Foundation. “This event is the kick-off to a year-long commitment by the Addition Financial Foundation to these incredible nonprofits. They all can certainly put grant funds to great use, but we also want to help them grow in other ways and build meaningful connections with others in the community.”
In addition to the grant awards, the Foundation provides year-round support to all the nonprofits in the Community Giving Class through volunteering events, free access to the Addition Financial community room, and free informational workshops on topics including media relations, fundraising, and grant writing.
“TGI is incredibly grateful to have been part of the Community Giving Class. The entire team at Addition Financial Foundation have been invaluable to our growth this year and their financial support has enabled TGI to broaden our community outreach,” said Taylor Presha, Executive Director of The Greatest Investment Foundation. “Over the past year, we have expanded our staff, enhanced our mental health initiatives, visited new colleges and universities, increased our summer program capacity, and introduced new leadership and empowerment development opportunities. We are excited to continue our progress by participating in the 2024 Community Giving Class.”
The Community Giving Celebration also afforded key networking opportunities for the nonprofit organizations. Local leaders from government, school districts and the business community, as well as members of the media also attended the breakfast and awards ceremony.
Story and photos provided by Addition Financial
Originally from the small town of Berryville, Arkansas, Cindy has become a multimedia specialist in journalism, photography, videography, and video editing. She has a B.S. in Communications from the University of Central Arkansas and produces Style Magazine's Sports Hub Podcast and the Healthy Living Podcast. She also produces for Beacon College’s Telly Award-winning PBS show, “A World of Difference.” When she isn’t working, Cindy loves traveling the National Parks with her husband , Ryan, and son, David, photographing wildlife.