The Addition Financial Foundation is celebrating 10 Central Florida nonprofits that are making a difference in their communities with $175,000 in unrestricted grants and year-round support.
The organizations were honored Wednesday, Sept. 9, during the Foundation’s fifth annual Community Giving Celebration at Addition Financial Arena on the University of Central Florida campus. The breakfast and awards ceremony brought together nonprofit leaders, community representatives, educators, business leaders, and government officials to recognize organizations working to strengthen families, support young people, expand educational opportunities, and improve quality of life throughout Central Florida.
Meet the 2026 Community Giving Class
Each organization selected for the 2026 Community Giving Class was nominated by an Addition Financial team member based on its impact in the communities served by the credit union.
This year’s recipients are:
- Central Florida Community Arts — $20,000
- Children’s Safety Village — $20,000
- Embrace Health — $20,000
- Empowered Girls, Inc. — $15,000
- First Tee Central Florida — $15,000
- Foundation for Foster Children — $15,000
- Gentian Creek Preserve — $15,000
- Prospera — $15,000
- Save a Life Pet Rescue — $15,000
- Tech Sassy Girlz — $15,000
Unlike grants restricted to a specific program or expense, the Community Giving Class grants are unrestricted, giving each nonprofit flexibility to direct the funding toward its most pressing needs.
“While the grants awarded today will help advance their missions, our commitment extends well beyond this event,” said Cristina Lehman, executive director of the Addition Financial Foundation. “We look forward to standing alongside every member of the 2026 Community Giving Class throughout the year, connecting them with resources, volunteers, and opportunities that can help deepen their impact.”
The Community Giving Celebration is just the beginning of the Foundation’s relationship with the 2026 recipients.
Throughout the year, members of the Community Giving Class receive additional support from Addition Financial and its team members. That support can include volunteer assistance, complimentary use of the Addition Financial community room, and informational workshops focused on areas such as media relations, fundraising, and grant writing.
The goal is to provide nonprofits with both financial resources and practical tools they can use to strengthen their organizations and expand their reach.
The Foundation also presented two additional $5,000 awards during the celebration. The Greatest Investment Girls Empowerment Program, a former Community Giving Class recipient, received one award, while Save a Life Pet Rescue received another after being selected through a vote by Addition Financial team members who contribute to the Foundation.
Supporting Central Florida Nonprofits
The Addition Financial Foundation was established in 2021 as the philanthropic arm of Lake Mary-based Addition Financial Credit Union. Its mission is to foster empowerment in the Central Florida community through financial education and charitable giving.
Through partnerships with school districts, higher education institutions, and nonprofit organizations, the Foundation supports programs designed to create lasting opportunities for people throughout the region.
For the 10 nonprofits named to the 2026 Community Giving Class, the $175,000 in unrestricted funding provides another resource to continue that work, while the year-round partnership offers opportunities to build connections, gain new skills, and engage Addition Financial volunteers.
As Central Florida continues to grow, programs like the Community Giving Class highlight the local organizations working behind the scenes to address community needs and create opportunities for residents of all ages.
