Press Release: Central Florida Foundation Launches Thriving Together Collaborative
Central Florida Foundation Launches Thriving Together Collaborative Focused on Economic Stability with Orange County Listening Tours
Orange County, July 23, 2025 — The Thriving Together Collaborative, a bold new initiative developed by Central Florida Foundation, has officially launched with a comprehensive Listening Tour throughout Orange County communities. With a 12-month learning and project-based cohort that will follow, this effort is designed to strengthen the independent sector through design-think learning while producing real impact through five community-led projects.
The Collaborative brings together residents, grassroots organizations, community leaders and cross-sector partners to build a shared vision of thriving — one that is rooted in lived experience, a problem-solving approach, and strong community teamwork.
“We are really interested in learning what residents in these neighborhoods say they need to thrive,” said Sandi Vidal, Vice President of Community Strategies and Initiatives at Central Florida Foundation. “This Listening Tour is about being present in communities, hearing directly from people living in them, and gaining a clearer understanding of the challenges and opportunities they face.”
Central Florida Foundation
The Listening Tour is focused on Orange County neighborhoods indicated as low opportunity by the Neighborhood Opportunity Index. These communities include Bithlo, Tangelo Park, Azalea Park, Eatonville, and others that have historically been underinvested and largely marginalized.
Following the Listening Tour, Central Florida Foundation will issue a request for proposals (RFP) for nonprofits interested in participating in the cohort portion of the Collaborative. The learning cohort will officially launch with 5 location-based participants in January 2026.
Powered by Charitable Investment in Economic Stability
The launch of the Thriving Together Collaborative has been made possible by support from charitable investors in the Thrive Economic Stability Fund. These community-focused individuals, families and organizations not only recognize the urgency of economic stability as a priority area but also place their trust in the Foundation to apply their charitable dollars in innovative ways that strengthen the community from within.
“These community investors saw both the importance of economic stability and the potential of bold, community-led innovation,” said Mark Brewer, President/CEO of Central Florida Foundation. “They believed in the Foundation’s ability to think differently, invest strategically, and help create stronger, more connected communities.”
President/CEO
Central Florida Foundation
Charitable investors in the Thrive Economic Stability Impact Fund include Walt Disney World, the Oregon Community Foundation, Gordon and Susan Arkin, John Caron, and Michael Dively. Support also came from Funds held at the Foundation by generous philanthropists: Armstrong Family Fund, Charitable Venture Fund for East Central Florida, Don and Cindy Diebel Legacy Fund, Kelly Family Cuidiú Foundation, and the Panepinto Family Fund.
To learn more about the Thriving Together Collaborative and follow the Listening Tour, visit cffound.org/thrive/thriving-together-collaborative.
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About Central Florida Foundation
As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.
