FAIRWINDS Foundation Awards $30,000 Grant to BBIF to Empower Small Businesses through Financial Literacy Education

FAIRWINDS Foundation Awards $30,000 Grant to BBIF to Empower Small Businesses through Financial Literacy Education

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 BBCDC, BBIF was awarded $30,000 from FAIRWINDS Foundation. The grant will help support BBIF’s efforts to empower small 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 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 small 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

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%.Learn more at www.BBIF.com.