Scholarships are a powerful tool that can support students through their education journey. They make college more affordable, and they can also create meaningful impact in other ways, like honoring a loved one, bridging generations, and creating a better future for all.
The Brede-Wilkins Scholarship Endowment Fund at Central Florida Foundation is an excellent example of a scholarship creating impact. Founded in the late 1980s by residents of Village on the Green, a retirement community in Longwood, the fund has awarded nearly 2,000 scholarships totaling $3.8 million.
The Brede-Wilkins Scholarship Story
From Idea to Fund
The Brede-Wilkins Scholarship Fund began with Leonard O. Wilkins and his sister, Ellen H. Brede, residents of Village on the Green. After a period of discord between residents and the organization that ran the community, they had a dream of creating a meaningful bond with those who worked in their community. Mr. Wilkins wanted to mend the relationship between the two sides, and in his words, "start living together as a family."
That’s when the idea of a scholarship fund was introduced.
"[T]hat is what we want to do with this scholarship foundation, bringing us all together, working as a family, to make it possible for the hard-working, sensitive, and cheerful people who work here to be given the opportunity to further their education. The last time I addressed the Village on the Green family, I spoke of a dream. Well, believe me, dreams do come true," shared Mr. Wilkins shortly after the establishment of the scholarship fund.
The Brede-Wilkins Scholarship was born out of a desire to bring people together and bridge divides through the gift of continuing education.
"We want...to make it possible for the hard-working, sensitive, and cheerful people who work here to be given the opportunity to further their education."– Leonard O. Wilkins, co-founder of the Brede-Wilkins Scholarship Fund
Making a Scholarship Sustainable
Oftentimes, an initial gift is what establishes a scholarship fund. In this case, Ms. Brede provided the initial gift of $200,000 to establish a trust. The trust was a 501(c)(3) and also classified as a private foundation, with Mr. Wilkins as the trustee. A private foundation gives the trustee full control; however, the downside of a private foundation is the extensive administrative work, which can be complex, time-consuming, and expensive to navigate.
Mr. Wilkins developed detailed operating rules and procedures for the administration of the scholarship program. And these rules, while amended from time to time, are still in effect today. He also recruited fellow residents to help him operate the scholarship program.
After the passing of Mr. Wilkins, the trustee role passed to Wilkins family members and eventually to a bank, while a committee of dedicated residents kept the scholarship running.
Relieving Administrative Burdens
Over time, frustrations grew. As a private foundation, the trust owed an annual excise tax, and the bank’s investment returns were falling short of expectations. Ultimately the Brede-Wilkins board began looking for a more sustainable, stable home for the fund that could offer a personalized touch for their unique scholarship.
In 2018, Central Florida Foundation was selected by the Brede-Wilkins board to be the new home of their scholarship fund. It started with a non-endowed fund, which let the board see how the partnership worked before committing permanently. A year later, the board created an endowed scholarship fund, meaning that the fund will last in perpetuity, supporting scholarships every year.
The Impact
As education costs continue to rise, the Brede-Wilkins scholarship has continued to support hardworking students who have served Village on the Green residents in the dining room. One particular scholarship recipient, Naej Jean, graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2024 with plans to pursue geriatric medicine, in part inspired by her time working in the dining room.
“I witnessed firsthand the effects of COVID on the most vulnerable population while working at Village on the Green retirement community center. This experience has fueled my passion in pursuing a degree in medicine and specializing in geriatrics. I want to follow in the footsteps of our leaders and invest my time, energy, and financial resources into making our community a better place,” Ms. Jean said at Central Florida Foundation's 30th Anniversary Celebration.
"I witnessed firsthand the effects of COVID on the most vulnerable population while working at Village on the Green retirement community center. This experience has fueled my passion in pursuing a degree in Medicine and specializing in Geriatrics."– Naej Jean, Brede-Wilkins Scholarship recipient
As Mr. Wilkins had dreamed about more than 35 years ago, a family has been established at the retirement community that now reaches beyond the residents. For Ms. Jean, the experience of being a Village on the Green server not only opened up the opportunity for a scholarship to further her education but also shaped the future she is working toward.
The scholarship’s board has also welcomed its first member who was once a Brede-Wilkins scholarship recipient, bringing the family full circle.
The Role of Central Florida Foundation
Since 2018, Central Florida Foundation has been honored to work alongside the Brede-Wilkins board to steward the fund and keep the program true to its roots. We help engage current and new donors, handle administrative work, and offer charitable giving guidance, so the board can stay focused on the students.
The Takeaway
The Brede-Wilkins Scholarship story shows that scholarships can be understood on a deeper level than dollars. For Mr. Wilkins, this scholarship came from a desire for connection in his retirement community. Through generosity and determination, he and his sister saw that dream come true.
While Mr. Wilkins and Ms. Brede are no longer with us, their dream stays alive with people like Naej Jean.
“I urge you to consider the importance of investing in the generations to come,” said Ms. Jean. “Just as the past invested in us, we must pay it forward, ensuring that the cycle of support and opportunity remains unbroken. We are the future, but we should also recognize that one day, we too will become part of the past.”
Learn more about scholarships at Central Florida Foundation.
Connect With Us
Ready to talk more? Let’s get in touch! Call our VP of Philanthropic Strategies and Partnerships, Steven J. Jerina, MPA, CAP® at 407-872-3050, or send an email.
