Bold Solutions in Central Florida Philanthropy: One Philanthropist’s Partnership with CFF
Avani Desai supports both 100 Women Strong and Rally—two Central Florida Foundation (CFF) initiatives helping her create lasting impact in Central Florida.
When Avani Desai reflects on her journey, it begins in Orlando. Moving to the city at age five, her early years were shaped by the quiet strength of community—teachers who went the extra mile, neighbors who offered help, and local organizations that filled the gaps.
“In many ways, we were on the receiving end of generosity,” she recalls. Now, as a leader, investor, and changemaker, she’s committed to paying it forward.
Foundation board member.
Avani’s commitment goes far beyond philanthropy. She’s a strategic investor in two initiatives at the Central Florida Foundation—100 Women Strong and Rally: Social Enterprise Accelerator—both designed to drive lasting, systemic change in the region.
Fueling Central Florida Philanthropy Through Collective Power: 100 Women Strong
The region’s home for meaningful female philanthropy
At its heart, 100 Women Strong is more than a giving circle; it’s a powerhouse of strategic, female-led venture philanthropists. It brings together driven women who pool their resources and expertise to tackle complex challenges facing women and children in Central Florida.
“We don’t just fund change,” Avani says. “We help create it—by identifying root causes and collaborating on solutions that make a lasting difference.”
With a focus on bold ideas, sustainability, and leadership, 100 Women Strong ensures that every dollar contributes to long-term progress, not just short-term relief.
After supporting 100 Women Strong for several years, Avani recently became a Legacy Member, establishing her long-term support for this organization and its mission.
Supporting Social Entrepreneurship with Rally
That same ethos of sustainability and innovation drew Avani to Rally, a social enterprise accelerator that supports social entrepreneurs solving real problems—whether through nonprofits or for-profits with a double bottom line: a sustainable business model with positive social impact. As a Rally Maker, she not only contributes annually through a charitable investment, but also leans in as a mentor to participants of the accelerator program.
“Rally helps these ventures become self-sustaining,” she explains, “scaling solutions that drive social impact.”
For Avani, the alignment between the two initiatives is clear. Both prioritize systems-level change, both support visionary leaders, and both aim to make Central Florida stronger—economically, socially, and culturally, for the long run.
A Shared Vision for Lasting Change
What ties these efforts together is a shared belief in innovative problem solving, sustainability, and leadership. Whether it’s empowering women and children through 100 Women Strong or investing in impact-driven social entrepreneurs at Rally, Avani sees these investments as building blocks for a better future.
“At the end of the day,” she says, “my family’s legacy is about making our community better than when we came into it.”
Investing in Rally and 100 Women Strong isn’t just about capital—it’s about betting on people, ideas, and solutions that will shape Central Florida for generations to come. And for Avani Desai, that’s the ultimate return on investment.
Listen to Avani in Her Own Words
Your Vision. Our Guidance.
Learn how partnering with Central Florida Foundation strengthens your impact.
Our team of giving experts is ready to learn more about your goals, values, and vision to help you make it a reality. Fill out this form, email our Philanthropic Relationship Manager, Neil Rios Laverde, at nrios@cffound.org, or give us a call at 407-872-3050 to start the conversation.
