BBIF Receives $25K From FAIRWINDS Foundation to Expand Financial Literacy Education in Communities with Limited Access to Resources

BBIF Awarded $25,000 to Support Financial Literacy in Communities Facing Financial Barriers ORLANDO, FL – FAIRWINDS Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that serves as the philanthropic arm of FAIRWINDS Credit Union, announced the recipients of its 2022 grants at a breakfast event held at Full Sail Live attended by Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, community leaders and twelve organizations embodying the Foundation’s core purpose of improving lives through financial well-being.

We are grateful to new partners like FAIRWINDS Foundation for recognizing the importance of financial literacy in helping small business owners succeed," said Duane Lewis, COO of BBIF. "At BBIF, we know that financial literacy training and business coaching are just as valuable as the funding we provide. This grant will allow us to continue equipping entrepreneurs with the skills and resources needed to build strong, sustainable businesses.

Through its grants, FAIRWINDS Foundation supports Central Florida communities facing financial challenges, including individuals experiencing homelessness, at-risk youth, and small business owners impacted by the global pandemic. In 2021, FAIRWINDS Foundation made a measurable impact, from helping Heart of Florida United Way secure $3.4 million in tax refunds for families in need to supporting Prospera USA’s efforts to help small businesses create or retain 2,400 jobs.

“We are proud to support each of these organizations, and we look forward to the impact they will make in helping others achieve financial freedom through education,” said Elisha González, vice president of community relations and government affairs at FAIRWINDS and executive director of FAIRWINDS Foundation. “Through the positive impact of the causes we support, we hope to inspire financial freedom among both FAIRWINDS members and the communities we serve.”

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 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%. Learn more at www.BBIF.com.

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.