At Addition Financial, we're devoted to serving the Central Florida community beyond the financial products and services we provide. We aim to make a real impact in the lives of our members and beyond, which has led us to create a number of initiatives that allow us to give back to our neighbors. By helping those around us, we can begin building a brighter future together.
During this season of giving, we want to highlight the generosity of the Addition Financial team members year-round. Our philanthropy efforts are coordinated through our very own Addition Financial Foundation. In this post, we'll go deeper into the charitable work we take part in through this organization and the impact it's had on the lives of others.
The Addition Financial Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization with one mission: to foster empowerment in our community through financial education and charitable giving. We believe that working together is important, and by joining forces, we can do so much more.
Education unlocks the door to more opportunity, and we believe everyone should have access to a high-quality learning experience. When we invest in education, we create a better future for our entire community. To help teachers and students stay focused on doing their best work, we've created programs to relieve some of the financial stress that can arise.
Understanding money is very important for individuals, and financial education resources are something every community needs. That's why another aspect of the Foundation is providing financial education for all. Through our community presentations and webinars, we offer financial education to thousands every year.
From kindergarteners hearing about finances for the first time to those preparing for their golden years, we have material for every stage of life. Over the years, we've delivered presentations to children and adults in schools, local businesses, and community nonprofits, with much of our content also available in Spanish.
Through the Addition Financial Foundation, we have been able to make a tangible difference in our local community by promoting financial education and charitable giving. We believe our actions speak louder than words, so here's a closer look at how we put our mission to work.
One of the ways we see our mission through is with our Renovate to Educate initiative. We know that teachers work hard to create a welcoming classroom where students can learn and play every day. Through this contest, public school teachers can apply to have their classrooms designed and renovated before the new school year begins.
For students starting their higher education journey, the Foundation offers financing through the Joseph A. Melbourne Jr. Annual Scholarship Program, named after the former President and CEO of Addition Financial.
It's important for our team to have a hands-on approach to giving back to our local community. That's why community service efforts, like The Great Backpack Build, are a priority to us. Through our partnership with the nonprofit, A Gift for Teaching, our volunteers helped pack 1,500 backpacks for students and families in need.
Each year, we choose a few special organizations to get our funding and help through our Community Giving Class. During the 3rd annual Community Giving Celebration at the University of Central Florida, the Foundation was able to donate $175,000 to ten Central Florida nonprofits. These funds support organizations focused on youth, education, underserved communities, and economic development.
This year's recipients include Children's Safety Village, Inspire of Central Florida, and United Against Poverty, among others. We're excited to see the positive impact these organizations will have on many people and families in our local community over the next year.
We're proud of what we've been able to accomplish through the Addition Financial Foundation. Over the years, we've supported numerous educational initiatives and community development projects.
Here's a look at our impact:
We also volunteer with many of the organizations we partner with, which allows us to contribute our time and talent in addition to funding.
Behind the Addition Financial Foundation is a team that cares about serving the community. Our employees work hard to find important causes, build partnerships, and make sure that our giving helps for a long time.
The Addition Financial Foundation is led by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of Addition Financial leadership. Headed by the Foundation's Executive Director Cristina Lehman, the board includes President & CEO Kevin Miller, Chief Administrative Officer Sam Nelson, and Chief Communications Officer Nora Rodriguez Patterson. Their dedication and desire to make a difference can be an inspiration to us all.
At Addition Financial, all employees are encouraged to take part in community engagement efforts. Each Addition Financial team member can receive up to 16 hours of paid volunteer time each year through the Foundation, helping them to give back to a cause they care about.
Plus, our Jeans Day fundraisers give team members the chance to contribute to various causes that help underserved groups and address emerging community needs. These acts of service help those around us while building a better community within our organization.
We hope you've enjoyed learning more about our charitable efforts here at Addition Financial. We're always looking for opportunities to team up with Central Florida organizations working toward positive change.
If you or your organization are interested in joining hands with us to make a difference, we invite you to fill out our contact form. Together, we can serve a larger audience and provide Central Florida community members with more opportunities.