Advent Retreat & Christmas Celebration
San Pedro Spiritual Development Center welcomed the chancery, Foundation, and St. James Cathedral team members this month for spiritual reflection for the Advent season and celebration of team member anniversaries. It’s a time for renewal and reflection on the past year together with our diocesan partners. The spiritual environment of San Pedro offers visitors a renewed sense of purpose, a deepening of faith and a stronger connection to our spiritual selves. Our thanks to the staff of San Pedro for hosting us, and Reverend Leo Hodges of St. Andrew’s Orlando for leading the retreat. Fr. Leo also concelebrated Mass with Bishop Noonan and Very Reverend Miguel González of St. James Cathedral. Some of our staff members were also honored with…
Don Quijote Awards
The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida proudly sponsored the Don Quijote Awards, December 9th at Epcot. These awards recognize successful businesses and individuals who have demonstrated qualities exemplified by literary character. Don Quijote: was a visionary and courageous dreamers who have taken risks to achieve their goals and improve Central Florida. The Don Quijote Awards are also the premier business and professional recognition for the Hispanic business community in Central Florida. Congratulations to all the award winners and honorees! Finalists and honorees for the 2023 Don Quijote Awards (in alphabetical order per category): HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR, FIVE YEARS OR LESS: • BOLD Hispanic Marketing Agency, represented by its owner, Ana Carolina Salazar • Hispanic Insurance Specialists, LLC, represented by its…
Thank You and Farewell Charlie Van Patten, JD, CAP
We are grateful for Charlie’s service to our mission for two years and while we are sad for him to leave our team we are excited to partner with him at EWTN. Charlie Van Patten, JD joined us in 2021 as Director of Philanthropy and brought extensive experience to our team with planned giving and charitable gift annuities. While at The Catholic Foundation Charlie earned the designation of Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) and served our donors well helping them to maximize their impact with their charitable giving. It is bittersweet to have Charlie leave our team as we will miss him in our office but we are excited to see him support EWTN and to partner with him and…
Welcome New PGAC Members
We are blessed to welcome two new members to the PGAC: Sherry Madl and Matthew Pineda Sherry Madl After an extensive career in education, Sherry made the career change to Edward Jones. During her years as an educator, she enjoyed learning about finances and investing and discovered that her passion and enthusiasm for educating and investing/finances could be blended into the perfect role as a financial advisor. As an Edward Jones financial advisor, Sherry believes it’s important to understand what a client is working toward: whether this means living in or working toward retirement, paying for an education, preparing for the unexpected or something completely different, she helps develop a strategy tailored to help clients achieve their financial goals. Matthew…
Community Foundations Week
Join us in celebrating Community Foundation Week & Philanthropy Day! Community foundations are local, charitable organizations that connect donors with causes they care about. They work tirelessly to address critical issues in our communities, from education and healthcare to economic development. This week, we want to thank the countless individuals and organizations that support community foundations. Your generosity makes a real difference in the lives of others.
Board Annual Meeting and Retreat
The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida convened their Board of Directors annual meeting and retreat at San Pedro Spiritual Development Center. This year’s retreat theme: Behold what you are. Become what you receive. Each year the Foundation and its members, board of directors, partners and staff gather to conduct Foundation business and spend time together in spiritual reflection, prayer and Mass. We also welcomed founding Chairman, Bill Orosz and his wife, Jody, for spiritual reflection. Under the stewardship of Chairman, Tom Chandler, the group strategically looked ahead to the future of our Church in Central Florida. Meetings over the day and a half retreat underscored the commitment of the Foundation to serve parishes, schools, ministries and the chancery in the…
Ten Tips for Year-End Giving
Thank you for partnering with us to make a positive impact in Central Florida! As the community foundation for Catholic donors, we are blessed to help individuals and organizations engage in philanthropy in a faith-filled way through socially screened investment options and tax-advantaged charitable tools. Our donors’ generosity provides parishes, schools, and diocesan ministries the ability to offer faith-formation experiences for children and adults and necessary renovations and expansions of churches and community centers. Additionally, these charitable resources foster Catholic School education, prepare seminarians for the priesthood, care for retired priests and support nonprofit organizations aligned with Catholic social values in providing healthcare, housing, and food assistance in the nine counties of the Diocese of Orlando. The Catholic Foundation of Central…
President’s Letter
Gratitude and charity toward others are hallmarks of our Catholic tradition.
Cristo Rey High School Groundbreaking
Several of our staff team members attended Cristo Rey Orlando’s historic groundbreaking. Cristo Rey is a network of Catholic, college, and career-preparatory schools that exclusively serve low-income students through a Corporate Work Study Program. Their unique approach to education allows students to receive a quality education and gain valuable work experience. Bishop Noonan, who said yes to Cristo Rey coming into the Diocese of Orlando, opened the groundbreaking with prayer and remarks. The founding Board of Directors of Cristo Rey Orlando was introduced, several of whom are current or former Board Members of The Catholic Foundation including William Orosz, Andrew Orosz, Orlando Evora and Tom Chandler. Cristo Rey Orlando plans to open their doors to the founding first-year class in…
National Philanthropy Day 2023
The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida was honored to be the Welcome Sponsor at Central Florida’s 2023 National Philanthropy Day. This celebration recognizes the profound impact philanthropy has on our community. The event took place at Rosen Shingle Creek and was hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Our local heroes are recognized at National Philanthropy Day for their compassion and selflessness. The program honors individuals, corporations, foundations, civic and service groups, and nonprofit organizations in Central Florida whose efforts change the face of our community. The Catholic Foundation welcomed attendees and award recipients sharing faith-filled fundraising books and resources including our Women’s Philanthropic Giving Circle, Donor Advised and other funds we manage. Our President and CEO earned recognition last…