BUILDING COMMUNITY BY BUILDING PHILANTHROPY

In 1994, a small group of visionary community leaders gathered around a table to discuss a simple question:

How can we really change Central Florida for the better?

The answer was to join forces not just with their dollars, but with the full power of their heads and hearts. Only then, could they drive deep and lasting social change. This partnership evolved into the Central Florida Foundation.

THE BEGINNING
Ten visionary thinkers come together to discuss the challenges facing Central Florida, the path to real change and philanthropic solutions for donors and nonprofits. The conversation inspires them to launch Central Florida Foundation, the region’s community foundation in 1994.
1988-1994
WINTER PARK COMMUNITY GRANTS
The administration of Winter Park Community Trust and its 68 funds is transferred to Central Florida Foundation, becoming the basis to support the Winter Park Community Grants.
1996
HITTING MILESTONES
Mark Brewer named President/CEO. Foundation establishes plan for growth, grant-making structure and makes its first home in College Park.
2000
ORLANDO’S CHILDREN
CFF administers an investment from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to support the City of Orlando in launching the Parramore Kidz Zone. PKZ levels the playing field for Parramore’s children, equipping them to become successful, healthy, well-educated adults.
2006
100 WOMEN STRONG
Formation of 100 Women Strong, a strategic giving circle committed to improving the lives of women and children in our community.
2006
NONPROFIT DATABASE
Nonprofit Search, a powerful and searchable database of all nonprofits in the region, goes live.
2009
PARTNERSHIP WITH UCF
Established a relationship with the University of Central Florida’s Nonprofit Management Students for Community Investment Grants.
2012
HOMELESS IMPACT FUND
Launch of Homeless Impact Fund and shift to Housing First model changes the region’s approach to addressing homelessness
2015
BETTER TOGETHER FUND
Better Together Fund opens after Pulse tragedy on June 12. Fund supports four key areas to assist survivors and families and to help community heal.
2016
RALLY
Rally, Social Enterprise Accelerator begins with first cohort.
2017
THRIVE FRAMEWORK
Central Florida Foundation established a localized version of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more.
2018
PARRAMORE ASSET STABILIZATION FUND
Parramore Asset Stabilization Fund (PASF) was formed in 2019 to purchase scattered-site rental properties in Orlando’s Parramore neighborhood, in order to improve housing conditions and preserve long-term affordability in the area.
2019
TABLETALK
The inaugural TableTalk brings over 3,000 people together over coffee or a simple meal to discuss the good and bad of the community and how to make it better.
2019
COVID-19
With the onset of a global pandemic, CFF invests over $1.5 million to support COVID-19 relief in Central Florida and hosts on-going Critical Community Conversations.
2020
TABLETALK PHASE TWO
TableTalk enters into a new phase that champions our diverse community through a more community-owned approach.
2024

WE ARE A LAUNCHPAD FOR

HIGH-IMPACT PHILANTHROPY

COLLABORATION
We bring all the essential partners to the table – researchers, policy makers, business leaders, supporters and other stakeholders.
IDEAS
We generate ideas to address the root cause of the challenge rather than simply fixing the symptoms.
INVESTMENT
We connect strategy to philanthropy, driving community-wide investment in truly one-of-a-kind solutions.
INNOVATION
We pilot big-picture, systemic solutions with the potential to change things for good. True impact requires unique approaches to issues.
LEGACY
We create real, lasting change as stewards of our community’s resources, passion and investment since 1994.