ORLANDO, Fla. (DATE) – United Arts of Central Florida today announced it has received a grant from Truist Charitable Fund to expand programs that strengthen nonprofit leadership, revitalize communities through the arts and increase access to arts-integrated learning for young people across Central Florida.
The $100,000 grant supports programming identified through United Arts’ participation in the DeVos Institute Capacity Building Initiative and the development of its FY30 Strategic Plan. Together, those efforts identified three critical regional priorities: (1) strengthening nonprofit leadership capacity, (2) expanding economic vitality through arts-driven community development and (3) increasing access to arts-integrated learning for young people.
“Central Florida’s creative economy fuels innovation, supports local businesses, and creates thousands of jobs so that our region can thrive as a leading global destination,” said Jennifer Evins, president and CEO of United Arts of Central Florida. This investment from Truist Charitable Fund allows us to expand that impact by strengthening nonprofit leaders, investing in neighborhoods, and making the arts more accessible to people of all ages across Central Florida.”
Through the grant, United Arts will:
- Expand capacity building for nonprofit leaders through Executive Director Learning Circles, grant writing workshops, marketing and fundraising training, the Board Leadership Pipeline and quarterly Arts & Health convenings that connect arts, nonprofit, and healthcare leaders.
- Increase investment in community revitalization through Community Impact Grants, creative placemaking initiatives, DTOLive!, the Chalk Art Festival and cultural tourism efforts that support local businesses, activate public spaces and strengthen historic neighborhoods, including Parramore and Eatonville. These efforts build on existing initiatives where participating businesses have reported up to a 70% increase in foot traffic and a 35% increase in sales.
- Expand arts-integrated learning through Teaching Artist Residencies, educator training and partnerships with school districts and community organizations that reach more than 100,000 students annually, creating meaningful opportunities for students to build creativity, confidence and career pathways through the arts.
Together, these initiatives build on United Arts’ role as Central Florida’s local arts agency. The nonprofit organization supports local artists, more than 125 arts and cultural organizations across Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties, and makes arts accessible for more than 3.1 million residents and visitors annually.
“At Truist, our purpose is to inspire and build better lives and communities, and we believe the arts play a powerful role in bringing that purpose to life,” said Erich Maschhoff, Truist market president in Orlando. “This grant will help United Arts of Central Florida strengthen nonprofit leaders, invest in vibrant neighborhoods and expand access to arts education for young people across the region. We’re proud to support work that helps Central Florida communities grow, connect and thrive.”
