COVID-19 Response and Recommendations
A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Look To What Is Unseen Which Is Eternal As we monitor the turn of events throughout the world we are reminded of our common humanity. We are encouraged to practice social distancing although we know we are one family of God and remain close spiritually through this belief. Therefore, we are not discouraged, rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18…
Finance Expert Joins Board
Press Contact: Rafael Gerena 407.246.4888 rgerena@cfocf.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Finance expert with four decades of experience joins The Catholic Foundation Board Orlando, FL – February 28, 2020David L. Dennis The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida is proud to announce that David L. Dennis, a financial expert with 40 years of accounting experience, has joined our board of directors and has also been appointed Chairman of our Investment Committee. David, who attends Annunciation Catholic Church (Altamonte Springs), is a retired KPMG advisory partner. A licensed Certified Public Accountant, Florida Governor Rick Scott appointed David to the Florida Board of Accountancy regulatory body, serving as Chair in 2016 and 2018. During his accounting career, David has served as the acting chief financial…
A New-Year Message from our President
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, On behalf of the board and staff of The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida, Happy New Year! The beginning of a new year brings the time-honored tradition of making resolutions – intentions to do or not do something. These resolutions focus on where we are presently and ways we believe we can improve our future selves or our lives. Research shows more than 60% of us make resolutions and sadly only about 8% are successful. As Catholics, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Baptism of Our Lord early in the new year. This is a beautiful feast for us to start the new year. Baptism is a sign of regeneration and renewal by the…
More than $2 million donated this year to improve life throughout Central Florida
Press Contact: Rafael Gerena 407.246.4888 rgerena@cfocf.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE More than $2 million donated this year to improve life throughout Central Florida Orlando, FL – December 18, 2019 By partnering with generous donors, The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida will distribute a record of more than $2 million this year, providing resources to improve the quality of life for thousands of children, youth, adults, families and vulnerable populations throughout the region. More than $710,000 supports Catholic School tuition assistance for the needy, which provides quality education to underserved students. Catholic schools serve all students regardless of religion, race, gender or disability. This year, the second largest amount of funding was for parish support. This covers unexpected and population-growth related costs…
“We All Bleed Red”
In the depths of homelessness, George has slept inside McDonald’s restaurants and behind shopping plazas. He has also fallen asleep at Central Florida parks, though not heavily, not the deep sleep that produces dreams, because his safety was in jeopardy when day turned to night. A graduate of Osceola High School in Kissimmee, George scraped by, working same-day and temp jobs, obscuring his homelessness from employers. At 19, he met his wife, Jary, and they were both homeless living independently from their families. George, now 25, has been married 5 years and has twin girls, age 4, with Jary. For 20 years, George was homeless or working his way through the system, accruing life lessons about street life and gaps…
Local Foundation Captures A Historic Number Of National Philanthropy Awards
Press Contact: Rafael Gerena 407.246.4888 rgerena@cfocf.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Local Foundation Captures A Historic Number Of National Philanthropy Awards Orlando, FL – December 13, 2019 Staff members of The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida receiving their awards. The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida’s work with local donors has led to a historic number of national philanthropic awards, highlighting its ability to foster stewardship that improves the quality of life for children, youth, adults and families throughout Central Florida. This year, The Catholic Foundation won five total awards, including the top national Catholic stewardship awards in three categories: Annual Appeal Video; Annual Appeal Poster; and Total Planned Giving Effort. The awards were presented in October by the International Catholic Stewardship Council…
Respected Business and Community Leader Elected Chairman of The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida
Press Contact: Rafael Gerena 407.246.4888 rgerena@cfocf.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Respected Business and Community Leader Elected Chairman of the Catholic Foundation of Central Florida Orlando, FL – December 05, 2019 Thomas Chandler Thomas Chandler, AIA of Orlando, was elected Chairman of The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida at the Foundation’s annual meeting. Tom’s appointment as Chairman is the culmination of years of steadfast commitment and leadership having served as a Foundation Board Member since 2011. Tom is President and CEO of SchenkelShultz Architecture, a respected Orlando architectural firm with a focus on the market sectors of aviation, education and community based initiatives. Tom is a former Orlando Business Journal’s “Businessman of the Year” award winner and a respected philanthropist in Central…
The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida ranks among the region’s biggest philanthropies
Press Contact: Rafael Gerena 407.246.4888 rgerena@cfocf.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida ranks among the region’s biggest philanthropies Orlando, FL – November 22, 2019 This month, the Orlando Business Journal (OBJ) ranked The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida as the 23rd largest nonprofit organization in Central Florida. The ranking was published in the November 1st edition of the OBJ, in a special section titled “2019 Partners in Philanthropy.” The Catholic Foundation is a philanthropic and investment organization that partners with generous donors to improve the quality of life for children, youth, adults and families throughout Central Florida. It oversees more than $54 million in investments that are managed for growth and to respect Catholic social teaching. As…
Local Experts To Deepen Philanthropy’s Community Impact in Central Florida
Press Contact: Rafael Gerena 407.246.4888 rgerena@cfocf.org Orlando, FL. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Planned Giving Advisory Council To Deepen Philanthropic Impact in Central Florida As part of a Catholic Foundation of Central Florida initiative, a Planned Giving Advisory Council has been established with seven founding members. It includes a group of active-and-talented charitable gift and estate planning professionals dedicated to the mission and vision of The Catholic Foundation. The goal is to support our community in realizing their philanthropic impact through a network of estate and financial planning professionals. The Foundation and Advisory Council members will provide educational and networking opportunities to support Central Florida professionals with incorporating distinct services that will help their clients realize the philanthropic impact they have accomplished…
Intentional Giving
By Kimberlee Riley President, The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida The first step to becoming a donor most often happens with small, unplanned gifts offered because a family member or friend asks. Most of us have had a friend ask to sponsor them in a 5K race benefiting a cause or to support their charity rather than giving them a birthday gift. We are asked at the grocery store to round up our payment to support a cause or we walk by an organization or sports team table and are asked to support their efforts. At church, we also give small, unplanned gifts when the basket is passed for second collections and even weekly offertory. When we reflect on our…