Central Florida Foundation Invests Over $1.5 Million in Local Nonprofits Amidst COVID-19

Central Florida Foundation, the region’s community foundation, today announces over $1.5 million of investments in nonprofit operations and innovation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The investments span an array of community areas including mental health, the elderly, animals, healthcare, hunger and homelessness. These investments are designed to support operations as many nonprofits have seen troubling increases to the demand for their services.

The community areas and investments include:

  • Over $40,000 for mental healthcare
  • $70,000 for the elderly
  • $15,000 for the care of animals
  • $25,000 for healthcare
  • Over $62,000 for homelessness service providers
  • Over $1.35 million in grants from fundholders at the Foundation for an array of COVID-19 related challenges

Up to $1.2 million of the investments from fundholders at CFF has been made to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. With the nonprofit experiencing a 100% increase in demand since March, the investment supports operations and new delivery systems to distribute more food than ever to struggling community members. These new systems not only change the way Second Harvest operates now, but also into the future.

Like Second Harvest, many nonprofits are pivoting their business models to serve more residents in brand new ways.

“COVID-19 forces all nonprofits to rethink the way they serve their communities,” said Mark Brewer, president/CEO at Central Florida Foundation. “To make it to the other side, every nonprofit has to create a new normal.”

The Foundation has also made a $25,000 investment in the ALICE Fund at the Heart of Florida United Way to help provide immediate relief for individuals and families experiencing economic hardship as a result of job loss.

Generous fundholders and already established endowment funds at the Foundations make these investments in the community possible.

The nonprofits to receive investments include:

Alaqua Animal Refuge

Bishop Moore Catholic High School

Central Florida Dreamplex

Central Florida Regional Housing Trust

Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida

Community Health Centers

Elevate Orlando

Family Promise of Greater Orlando

First Presbyterian Church of Orlando

Grace Medical Home

Harbor House of Central Florida

Health Care Center for the Homeless

Heart of Florida United Way

Hebni Nutrition Consultants

Help Now Osceola

Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando

LIFT Orlando

Meals on Wheels

Mental Health Association of Central Florida

No Kid hungry

Osceola Council on Aging

Peer Support Space

Pet Alliance

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

Seniors First

St. Bonaventure Indian Mission & School

The Sharing Center

United Against Poverty

United Arts of Central Florida

VIP Rescue of Central Florida

Wild Horses Rescue Center

Winter Park Improvement Foundation