News Summary
Nonprofit organizations in Orlando are struggling due to federal funding cuts, with growing community needs for services like food assistance and mentorship programs. The Second Harvest Food Bank has reported a need for an additional one million pounds of food. Community initiatives, such as the Victory Cup Initiative, aim to offer unrestricted funding and training to help nonprofits cope. Meanwhile, organizations like Zebra Youth and The Center are adapting their campaigns to secure necessary support. Overall, fundraising continues to be a major challenge across Florida’s nonprofit sector.
Orlando – Local nonprofit organizations in Orlando are facing significant challenges due to cuts in federal funding, even as demand for their services continues to rise. The Second Harvest Food Bank reported a pressing need for an additional one million pounds of food to adequately serve the community. This urgent requirement illustrates the increasing difficulties faced by nonprofits as they strive to meet community needs amidst financial constraints.
In an alarming trend, nearly half of nonprofits across Florida indicated that fundraising is their most significant hurdle, with no growth in flexible funding noted last year. This situation highlights the struggles faced by organizations relied upon to deliver essential services, such as food assistance, mentorship programs, and health services in areas often overlooked by other support systems.
One prominent organization, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, nearly experienced a loss of $2.4 million in funding for its programs that benefit over 1,200 children. However, through community advocacy efforts, this funding was successfully restored, demonstrating the community’s commitment to supporting its youth.
The Orlando community is mobilizing to assist nonprofits through initiatives like the 11th Victory Cup Initiative, which allows nonprofits from Orange, Seminole, Brevard, and Osceola counties to apply for unrestricted funding and professional training. Applications for this initiative will be open from September 2 to 22, 2025, culminating in a Shark Tank-style event in February 2026, where selected organizations will present their projects to an audience of over 500 community leaders.
Since its inception in 2015, the Victory Cup Initiative has invested over $4 million into local nonprofits and has organized more than 40 leadership workshops aimed at strengthening their operational capabilities. In the previous year, ten organizations shared more than $300,000 in immediate funding for essential needs, underscoring the initiative’s impact.
Community engagement is an integral part of the Victory Cup Initiative, with local members encouraged to participate as evaluators in selecting the top 10 finalists for funding. This involvement not only fosters community ties but also ensures that resources are directed towards the most impactful projects.
In a parallel effort, The Center in Orlando has launched the “Journey Forward” campaign to secure funding. This initiative highlights the need for nonprofits to reduce reliance on state and federal grants, further illustrating the sector’s vulnerability to budget cuts.
The Zebra Youth organization, which supports LGBTQ youth in Orlando, has also felt the impacts of funding cuts. Their housing assistance program, critical for vulnerable youth facing bullying and familial rejection, has been significantly affected, demonstrating another aspect of the rising demand for social support amid decreasing financial resources.
Optimism remains amid challenges. For instance, Lee Daugherty, an 82-year-old member of a senior support group at The Center expressed hope despite fears that ongoing funding cuts could impede community progress.
Outside Orlando, the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg awarded $200,000 in capacity-building grants to 20 nonprofits in the South St. Petersburg area, with each eligible organization receiving up to $10,000 upon completing a designated assessment tool. This effort marks the second year of collaboration between the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg and Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital, aimed at enhancing nonprofit infrastructure and sustainability in the region.
Recipients of these grants focus on diverse areas such as community health, education, housing, and equity-related work, indicating a strategic approach to addressing pressing local issues.
Meanwhile, the Florida Harm Reduction Collective has faced setbacks, particularly with its naloxone distribution program, which was effective at saving lives by providing essential drug overdose prevention resources. Despite previously distributing over 9,000 naloxone kits since early 2023 to high-risk populations, cuts in state funding have necessitated the termination of this lifesaving program, amplifying concerns regarding sustained efforts to combat opioid overdose deaths.
Despite an overall decline in drug-related deaths in Florida, significant disparities persist, particularly among communities of color, illustrating the critical need for ongoing support and resources to ensure that all populations receive adequate assistance.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Event Celebrates 20th Anniversary
Roundtable Discussion on Florida’s Healthcare Challenges
Orlando’s Magical Dining Marks 20th Anniversary with Record Attendance
Community Partnership Schools Transform Education in Orlando
Central Florida Veterans Seek Innovative PTSD Treatments
Florida Eliminates 2% Business Rent Tax to Boost Local Economy
Florida Drought Prompts SBA to Offer Disaster Loans
Washington State Introduces Sales Tax on Digital Services
LGBTQ+ Community Faces Funding Cuts in Orlando
Local Artist Unveils ‘Florida Water’ Exhibition
Additional Resources
- WESH: Orlando Nonprofits LGBTQ Support Cuts
- Wikipedia: Nonprofit Organization
- FOX 35: Orange County Nonprofits Face Funding Crisis
- Google Search: Nonprofit funding crisis Florida
- Click Orlando: Federal Grants Rescinded
- Google Scholar: Florida nonprofit funding
- News 13: Orlando Rush Homeless Funding
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Nonprofit Organizations
- Orlando Sentinel: Nonprofits Say Federal Freeze
- Google News: Florida nonprofit initiatives
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.
