BBIF Awarded $30,000 from FAIRWINDS Foundation to Support Small Business Growth through Financial Literacy Education

ORLANDO, FL (January 14, 2025) FAIRWINDS Foundation, the philanthropic arm of FAIRWINDS Credit Union, recently announced the recipients of its 2025 grants at a breakfast event held at Full Sail Live. The event, attended by prominent community leaders and representatives from sixteen organizations, celebrated the Foundation’s largest grant distribution to date.

This year, FAIRWINDS Foundation increased its grant contributions by $100,000, bringing the total to an impressive $500,000. Since 2018, the Foundation has dedicated over $2 million towards initiatives aimed at enhancing financial well-being, underlining its commitment to improving lives through financial literacy.

Among the recipients, BBIF, through its charitable affiliate BBCDC, was awarded $30,000. This grant will support BBIF’s ongoing efforts to empower small business owners with critical financial literacy education.

"We value our ongoing relationship with FAIRWINDS Foundation," stated Duane Lewis, Executive Director of BBCDC & COO of BBIF. "Their support helps us deliver the vital resources and guidance that business owners require to succeed. FAIRWINDS' commitment to financial literacy education is one that we deeply admire, as it is crucial for empowering entrepreneurs."

Initiated in 2022 with the support of FAIRWINDS Foundation, BBIF’s Financial Literacy Workshop Series, led by BBIF team member Karlon Johnson, has been a key part of this initiative. The workshops cover essential financial topics such as personal credit, debt management, and cash flow strategies. To date, the series has benefited hundreds of entrepreneurs, reinforcing the importance of financial education in business growth and success in Central Florida. With this renewed grant, BBIF is set to expand these valuable services, reaching an even broader audience of entrepreneurs in the upcoming year.

"When individuals and families have access to the right information and resources to strengthen their financial well-being, it creates a positive ripple effect on the local economy," said Elisha González, vice president of community relations and government affairs at FAIRWINDS and executive director of FAIRWINDS Foundation. "These organizations are doing outstanding work to advance financial literacy, helping businesses and communities achieve greater financial stability and long-term success."

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

For 75 years, FAIRWINDS Credit Union has helped members achieve financial freedom by saving more, eliminating debt, building wealth, and living generously. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, FAIRWINDS serves more than 225,000 members with innovative and secure personal and commercial financial services, including deposits and loans, wealth management, retirement planning, treasury services, merchant services, and more. With a member satisfaction score twice the banking industry average, FAIRWINDS members experience confidence and peace of mind. FAIRWINDS is consistently named a top employer of choice, including American Banker, Credit Union Times, and Florida Trend. Recognized among Central Florida’s most philanthropic companies by Orlando Business Journal, FAIRWINDS builds financial literacy in the region through its FAIRWINDS Foundation. For more information, visit www.fairwinds.org.

About BBCDC

The BBCDC was established in 1993 as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to fundraising, education, and networking opportunities that support business growth. BBCDC also focuses on enriching communities through housing initiatives that provide access to affordable living options. As the charitable affiliate of BBIF, BBCDC has evolved to expand its impact, including a name change from BBCFC to BBCDC in March 2020 to reflect its broader mission.

About BBIF

Created in 1987, BBIF provides loan capital, financial technical assistance, and business development services to support business owners. As a mission-driven lender, BBIF helps businesses grow by offering capital solutions and specialized guidance tailored to their needs. BBIF is a CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) and CDE (Community Development Enterprise) certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury CDFI Fund. The organization is also a Community Advantage and Micro Loan lender certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration, a Money Smart for Small Business collaborator certified with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and holds an AERIS rating of triple star, A.

Since its inception, BBIF has provided over 1,185 loans totaling $103.6 million and received over $200MM in New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) awards, for a leveraged impact of over $625 million in NMTC investments. These efforts have created/retained over 15,000 jobs, while maintaining a historical loan loss rate of 4.08%. www.BBIF.com.