Economic Stability Focus Area | Central Florida Foundation

As the #1 travel destination in the world, Central Florida thrives on a strong tourism economy. Other industries and entrepreneurs identify the region as an ideal place to build and grow their vision and companies. However, with this growth, many individuals and families live $400 away from homelessness and struggle with making ends meet—living paycheck to paycheck, unable to afford safe housing, reliable transportation, and healthy food. The Economic Stability Impact Fund disrupts these patterns, fueling action and initiatives that boosts the talent pipeline, drives employment innovation, promotes security for the local workforce and more.

Support This Work

INCREASING INCOME

TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS

ATTAINABLE HOUSING

INITIATIVES AND GRANTMAKING

Initiatives 100 Women Strong (100WS) and Rally, two initiatives of the Foundation, both work to improve our local economy. Currently, 100WS is in its 3-year commitment to Women’s Economic Empowerment, with a 2024 focus on the fiscal cliff. Rally, Central Florida’s social enterprise accelerator, consistently works to support early-stage social entrepreneurs through mentorship and connection.

Grantmaking Our grantmaking team, alongside evaluators and other community partners, works to identify local organizations with innovative programming that increase economic opportunities for our residents.

TESTIMONIALS

Engaging 100 Women Strong's collaborative investment in key areas essential to women's wellbeing in our community, especially through the lens of economic development, has been a profoundly enlightening experience that highlights the importance of community partnerships.
- Mumtaz Tharoo, Chair, 100 Women Strong

FEATURED THRIVE ECONOMIC STABILITY WORK

In 2022, 100 Women Strong invested in a teacher workforce pipeline with a two-pronged outcome: increasing access to quality, affordable childcare and increasing job support for childcare workers and facilities. This is part of the initiative's 3-year focus on women's economic empowerment.

Our 2022 Winter Park Community Grant Cycle specifically focused on economic stability and equity. Magnify, a local nonprofit, was awarded one of these grants to further its program that helps residents with intellectual and development disabilities find competitive employment, decreasing overall unemployment in the Central Florida region.

The Community Landscape is a snapshot of our current state and explores challenges and opportunities. This is developed and powered by Thrive Central Florida.

WE WORK ACROSS SECTORS.

Central Florida Foundation has representation on workgroups and conversations around the city. Right now, we’re a part of: Face the Housing Crisis workgroup, led by Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando and Osceola County, I-Drive Workforce and Economic Development Task Force, and the Local Technology Planning Team with Orange County.

LIGHTHOUSE WORKS: FINDING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH CREATIVE APPROACHES

FOOD INSECURITY IN CENTRAL FLORIDA: ECONOMIC AND HEALTH IMPLICATIONS

SEE THE SCORE CARD

Explore how our community is doing by analyzing specific measurable goals on our community score card.

Learn More

AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING NEEDS

SPRING 2023

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HEART OF FLORIDA UNITED WAY ALICE REPORT

A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP STUDY

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GUIDE TO THRIVE

CENTRAL FLORIDA FOUNDATION

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WOMEN'S ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT REPORT

100 WOMEN STRONG

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QUESTIONS ABOUT THRIVE?

If you have specific questions, wondering if you can get involved, or simply want to share a thought with us about Thrive, fill out this form below.

SANDI VIDAL
Vice President of Community Strategies and Initiatives
svidal@cffound.org

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Economic Stability

Think Global, Act Local

FOCUS AREA SUBGOALS

Economic Stability is an expansive area. Here is how we break it down.

WHAT WE’RE DOING

Here’s how Central Florida Foundation is creating incremental change.

INITIATIVES AND GRANTMAKING

TESTIMONIALS

FEATURED THRIVE ECONOMIC STABILITY WORK

HOW WE’RE COLLABORATING

Here’s how we’re partnering with others to collaboratively work toward our goals

WE WORK ACROSS SECTORS.

RECOMMENDED READING

LIGHTHOUSE WORKS: FINDING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH CREATIVE APPROACHES

FOOD INSECURITY IN CENTRAL FLORIDA: ECONOMIC AND HEALTH IMPLICATIONS

SEE THE SCORE CARD

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Read reports, analyze data, and dig deeper with these community resources.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THRIVE?