ORLANDO, FL (March 7, 2023) – FAIRWINDS Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that serves as the philanthropic arm of FAIRWINDS Credit Union, announced the recipients of its 2023 grants at a breakfast event held at Full Sail Live attended by community leaders and twelve organizations embodying the Foundation’s core purpose of improving lives through financial well-being. By way of charitable affiliate Black Business Community Development Corporation (BBCDC), Black Business Investment Fund (BBIF) was awarded $30,000 from FAIRWINDS Foundation. The grant will help support BBIF’s efforts to empower BIPOC-owned businesses through financial literacy education.
“We are excited to continue our partnership with FAIRWINDS Foundation,” said Inez Long, President/ CEO of BBIF. “We know from experience that financial literacy training and business coaching are just as critical as access to capital when it comes to building and sustaining successful enterprises. This grant will enable us to continue providing essential skills and resources to BIPOC business owners.”
In 2022, with the support of the FAIRWINDS Foundation, BBIF launched its Financial Literacy Workshop Series. Led by BBIF’s Small Business Consultant, Karlon Johnson, the series offers essential financial literacy tips for personal and business finances, including personal credit, managing debt, debt payoff strategies, building a financial future/plan, financial management and managing cash flow. Over the year, more than 250 individuals attended the workshops, receiving positive feedback from attendees. The program underscores the importance of financial literacy education in supporting the growth and success of BIPOC-owned businesses. This new grant from FAIRWINDS Foundation will enable BBIF to continue providing this crucial resource to small businesses in Central Florida
“We believe that when families and individuals have the information and tools needed to secure and improve their financial health, we collectively impact and improve our community’s economic well-being,” said Elisha González, vice president of community relations and government affairs at FAIRWINDS and executive director of FAIRWINDS Foundation. “These non-profits are conducting incredible work to advance financial literacy and shepherding our communities to experience financial freedom and reach broad-based prosperity.”
About FAIRWINDS Foundation
FAIRWINDS Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, is dedicated to helping individuals achieve a path toward financial responsibility, security and freedom and inspiring them to transform the lives of others by living generously.
Through education, financial contribution and volunteerism, the Foundation works with and supports organizations that align with its passion of improving lives through financial literacy.
For more information, visit www.fairwinds.org/foundation.
About FAIRWINDS
FAIRWINDS, headed by President and CEO Larry Tobin, is headquartered in Orlando and is consistently ranked as one of the best financial institutions and employers in the region.
At FAIRWINDS, we believe that financial freedom is freedom to go further – whether that means putting a child through college, retiring early or starting a new business. We are the financial partner that doesn’t want our members to have debt. FAIRWINDS empowers members to pursue and achieve their personal and business goals by offering products and services that promote healthy spending and saving habits.
About BBCDC
The Black Business Community Development Corporation (BBCDC) was created in 1993. It is a 501c3 entity that provides fundraising, education, and networking opportunities to develop and support the growth of minority businesses and underserved communities. Additionally, BBCDC has the vision to develop sustainable communities by providing low to moderate and affordable housing. BBCDC is the charitable affiliate of BBIF. The previous name of BBCDC was Black Business Capital Financing Corporation (BBCFC). In early 2020 the BBCFC board felt it was necessary to transition to a CDC, hence changing the name to BBCDC. The new name, BBCDC, became effective on March 16, 2020.
About BBIF
Created in 1987, BBIF’s mission is to develop and promote Black business enterprises through education, training, loans, investments, and other activities and to aggressively promote an atmosphere conducive to their development. A mission-driven lender, BBIF helps communities and businesses thrive by providing loan capital and specialized financial technical assistance services. BBIF is a CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) and CDE (Community Development Enterprise) certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Community Advantage and Micro Loan lender as certified by U.S. Small Business Administration, Money Smart for Small Business collaborator certified by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and is AERIS rated triple star, A-minus. Since its inception, BBIF has provided over 1,100 loans totaling $86.8 million and leveraged $378 million in New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) community investments. BBIF’s investments have helped to create/sustain over 14,000 jobs all while maintaining a historical loan loss rate of 3.5%. Learn more at www.BBIF.com.
