News Summary
The Addition Financial Community Giving Event has allocated $175,000 to ten local non-profits in Central Florida. Highlighted by guest speaker UCF Football head coach Scott Frost, the initiative supports organizations addressing community challenges. This marks the tenth funding distribution since the event’s inception, emphasizing the importance of local support. Hands of Hope America is among the beneficiaries, focusing on essential community needs. Additionally, the Community Foundation of North Central Florida announced further grants to support emerging community leaders.
Orlando, Florida— Central Florida has witnessed a significant boost to its local non-profits as the Addition Financial Community Giving Event distributed a total of $175,000 to ten selected organizations. This funding initiative, established in 2021, aims to support non-profit organizations making a meaningful impact within the community.
The direction of the charitable event was highlighted by the guest speaker, UCF Football head coach Scott Frost, who shared insights on the importance of community support and the role non-profits play in addressing local challenges. The selected organizations for this year’s funding were derived from nominations made by employees of the sponsoring foundation, allowing for grassroots involvement in the selection process.
This year marks the tenth distribution of funds since the inception of the Addition Financial Community Giving Event, which emphasizes a commitment to enriching the lives of residents in Central Florida. Among the notable programs that have benefited from past distributions is the Victory Cup Initiative, a comprehensive funding program founded in 2015. Over its operation, the initiative has provided $4 million to local non-profits and conducted more than 40 leadership workshops designed to enhance management and operational skills within these organizations.
The 2026 Victory Cup Initiative application is scheduled to open on September 2, 2025, and will conclude on September 22, 2025. During its eleventh round, this initiative will support ten nonprofits from Orange, Seminole, Brevard, and Osceola counties. Participating non-profits can expect funding opportunities as well as access to storytelling training, enabling them to present their mission during a “Shark Tank-style” event set for February 2026.
One organization making a notable impact in the region is Hands of Hope America, founded by Evelisse Bookhout in 2019. This organization addresses critical needs in the Four Corners community, focusing on essential areas like childcare, education, and food security. Hands of Hope America serves thousands of families through various programs offering free mental health counseling, after-school tutoring, and adult English classes. A recent needs assessment has revealed significant gaps in housing, food security, healthcare, and transportation across Lake, Polk, Osceola, and Orange counties. To combat these issues effectively, the organization is advocating for collaborative partnerships with other service providers.
Hands of Hope America has identified the necessity for a centralized community center, which would connect families with after-school programs. Currently, many children lack safe activities due to insufficient facilities in the community, making this a priority for local advocates.
In related funding news, the Community Foundation of North Central Florida (CFNCF) announced an additional $25,000 in grant funding for three local non-profits: the CHILD Center at SWAG ($15,000), GROW Hub ($5,000), and the Southern Scholarship Foundation ($5,000). This funding is part of the NextGen Changemakers program launched by CFNCF in 2022, designed to engage young leaders in philanthropy and grantmaking through an annual application process.
This year, a panel of local philanthropists matched a $10,000 contribution from CFNCF, bringing the total funding to $25,000 for the NextGen Changemakers cohort, further enhancing the philanthropic opportunities available to emerging community leaders.
These funding initiatives represent a collective effort to strengthen the community fabric of Central Florida through strategic partnerships and support for non-profit organizations dedicated to making a tangible difference in the lives of residents.
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Additional Resources
- CU Insight
- Main Street Daily News
- Click Orlando
- Wikipedia: Nonprofit Organization
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Nonprofit Organization
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
