Fifth Third Foundation Announces Strengthening Our Communities Fund Award Recipients
TAMPA, FL – The Fifth Third Foundation has announced its Strengthening Our Communities (SOC) Fund grants for Florida. The Fund awards grants to designated nonprofit programs that support homeownership, affordable housing, small business development and financial stability for individuals and families. Programs in these areas strengthen and stabilize our communities and make them a better place to live, work and thrive.
“The Strengthening Our Communities grants are important because they result in people’s lives being positively changed and they grant organizations the opportunity to expand their reach,” said Heidi Jark, managing director, Fifth Third Foundation. “Through these grants, we are able to continue building lasting relationships and help strengthen communities where we serve.”
In Florida, Prospera, CDC of Tampa, Inc., Central Florida Urban League, Florida Housing Coalition, Florida Small Business Development Centers, Affordable Homeownership Foundation and Urban League of Broward received a total of $250,000. The organizations plan to use the grants to benefit the community through small business technical assistance, affordable housing and financial stability.
“We are committed to making community investments that improve lives in Florida and across our national footprint,” said David Call, president of Fifth Third’s Florida region. “We believe these grants provide meaningful support to the efforts of affordable housing, small business assistance and financial stability to build and maintain strong, vibrant communities – and that provide pathways to opportunity in our community.”
Fifth Third formally invited nonprofit organizations to apply for the funding and awards were made four times over the past year. Grant awards begin at $25,000 and are for a one year period. The maximum grant awards per region depend on the program and demonstrated need.
The Florida recipients of Strengthening Our Communities Fund grants are:
- Affordable Homeownership Foundation (Ft. Myers) [$25,000] — for Affordable Housing, Counseling, Training, Advocacy, Technical Assistance
- CDC of Tampa, Inc, [$25,000] – for Affordable Housing/Financial Stability
- Central Florida Urban League, [$25,000] – for Financial Stability
- Florida Housing Coalition (statewide) [$75,000] – for Affordable Housing
- Florida Small Business Development Center at USF [$25,000] – for Small Business/Economic Development
- Florida Small Business Development Center at FGCU [$25,000] – for Small Business/Economic Development
- Prospera (North Florida) [$25,000] – for Small Business Technical Assistance
- Urban League of Broward County [$25,000] – for Financial Stability
About The Fifth Third Foundation
Established in 1948, the Fifth Third Foundation was the first philanthropic foundation established by a financial institution. The Fifth Third Foundation supports worthwhile organizations in the areas of education, health and human services, community development and the arts.
About Fifth Third Bancorp
Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. As of Dec. 31, 2017, the Company had $142 billion in assets and operated 1,154 full-service Banking Centers and 2,469 ATMs with Fifth Third branding in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Georgia and North Carolina. In total, Fifth Third provides its customers with access to more than 54,000 fee-free ATMs across the United States. Fifth Third operates four main businesses: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending and Wealth & Asset Management. Fifth Third is among the largest money managers in the Midwest and, as of Dec. 31, 2017, had $362 billion in assets under care, of which it managed $37 billion for individuals, corporations and not-for-profit organizations through its Trust and Registered Investment Advisory businesses. Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Fifth Third’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Fifth Third Bank was established in 1858. Member FDIC.
