ORLANDO, Fla. –(October 24, 2024) – United Arts of Central Florida (United Arts) is grateful to announce a $225,000 grant awarded by the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation to enhance the financial management and build internal capacity, including funding the search and salary of a chief financial officer, to handle the anticipated increase in tourism development tax (TDT) funding for arts and culture. This grant comes at a crucial time as Orange County prepares to boost its allocation for cultural grants significantly.
As the Orange County Commission prepares to vote on the final arts and cultural budget on October 29, the impact of this grant becomes even more pronounced. The county expects the TDT funding to rise from $5 million to nearly $10 million, spread across seven grant programs managed by United Arts.
“As our community’s local arts agency, this investment empowers United Arts of Central Florida to continue stewarding arts and cultural funding with the highest level of integrity and effectiveness,” said Jennifer Evins, president and CEO of United Arts. “We’re particularly excited about the opportunity to expand our finance team by adding a new chief financial officer. With our current finance department consisting of only two full-time staff members, this strategic expansion will significantly enhance our financial stewardship capability. The new CFO will play a crucial role in ensuring the financial health and sustainability of our organization, allowing us to meet the rapidly growing needs of both the nonprofit arts and cultural sector in Orange County.”
For more than 50 years, the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation has advocated for the nonprofit sector. David A. Odahowski, president and CEO of the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation, emphasized the foundation’s commitment to strengthening arts and culture in Central Florida through this grant.
“Investing in the capacity of organizations like United Arts of Central Florida is essential for sustaining a vibrant arts community,” said Odahowski. “Our partnership with United Arts reflects our belief that a well-supported arts sector enhances the quality of life and wellbeing, for all residents and visitors. Together, we can ensure that the growing financial resources are managed with the utmost integrity and effectiveness.”
As Orange County continues to be a premier travel destination, attracting more than 70 million visitors annually, the strategic investment in arts and culture funding highlights the county’s commitment to enhancing public access to high-quality cultural experiences. The increased TDT funding, $69.4 million over five years for increased funding towards arts and cultural events, underscores the significance of the arts in driving tourism and enriching cultural vibrancy throughout local neighborhoods.
This positive trajectory in funding supports the organization’s mission of enriching communities by investing in arts, science, and history. For interview requests and assets, please contact C. Major at major@chauniquamajor.com.
ABOUT UNITED ARTS OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
United Arts of Central Florida (United Arts) is a local arts agency that strengthens artists, and creative and arts organizations across the region. Through programs, funding, and resources, United Arts helps local arts and culture organizations achieve their impact goals. Through community engagement initiatives, the nonprofit organization strives to accomplish its vision of access to quality arts for everyone in Central Florida. Since 1989, United Arts has invested more than $200M toward art, arts education, culture, science, and history — in its ongoing effort to enrich the community and inspire future generations.
ABOUT THE EDYTH BUSH CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
Established in 1973, the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation is a private grantmaking institution creating innovative civic solutions helping people help themselves. Advancing philanthropy around the state of Florida, the Foundation builds caring networks and helps nonprofit organizations be better managed, governed, and led. Board Members are Richard J. Walsh, Chairman; Matthew W. Certo, Vice Chairman and Corporate Secretary; David A. Odahowski, President & CEO; Anne B. Kerr, Ph.D.; Patricia J. Engfer; John A. Riley; Brian M. Butler and Leon Camarda.
To date, the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation has awarded $114,434,538 in 4,298 grants to 896 nonprofit organizations. For more information on the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation or to determine availability of spaces atThe Edyth, please visit www.edythbush.org.
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