Transparency Begins Wednesday, November 25th Says Community Foundation of Central Florida

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wednesday, November 25, 2009: Community Foundation of Central Florida Unveils New Web Site with Detailed “Portraits” of Charitable Organizations in Central Florida; Transparency Expected to Stimulate Nonprofit Marketplace and Change Giving

“We thank the 300+ non-profits who are live today on the site and look forward to the others who will come onboard in 2010 as this rolls out”

Central Florida is one of the first regions in the country to make it happen, thanks to the Community Foundation of Central Florida (CFCF) which has spent more than a year making transparency for an entire sector a reality.

Wednesday, November 25th, CFCF will launch a powerful online tool which will allow the public a wide and deep look at the charitable organizations in Central Florida. Everything from an organization’s management, governance, and programs to an in-depth look at finances will be searchable and validated. The Foundation’s leadership believes this new site will allow local nonprofits more exposure to the community, new sources of funding and improved performance. Link: www.myCFCF.org.

“The character of a community can be found in its philanthropy and Central Florida has much to be proud of,” says Mark Brewer, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Central Florida (CFCF).

“On Wednesday we will unveil the work of many to display individual portraits of the charitable organizations in our community. These will be online for everyone to see; fully searchable and verified. From tax returns to program details and names of those who serve on boards of directors; the public, and the media, will have the ability to read an overview or go into detail about each organization.

“We thank the 300+ non-profits who are live today on the site and look forward to the others who will come onboard in 2010 as this rolls out,” said Brewer.



QUICK FACTS: Based on 300 participating organizations in CFCF’s knowledge base

Did you know charitable organizations are the 4th largest employer in the State of Florida? (includes paid and volunteer staff – see breakdown for Central Florida below)

Nonprofits in Central Florida, by the numbers – with 300 organizations reporting so far
Percentage of nonprofits 2 years old or less:	5%
Percentage of nonprofits 5 years old:	3%
Percentage of nonprofits 10 years old or more:	77%
Number of unique board members:	2,943
Number of full-time staff employed:	9,674 or 9% of total staff and volunteers
Number of part-time staff employed:	3,368 or 3% of total staff and volunteers
Number of volunteers:	89,772 or 87% of total staff and volunteers

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

The Community Foundation of Central Florida is a public grant making foundation established in 1994 as a home for Central Florida philanthropists. Today, thanks to the generosity of hundreds of individuals, families and corporations, the Community Foundation has grown to hold nearly 400 named charitable funds with assets of more than $36 million, and has awarded cumulative grants of more than $21 million.

By managing and investing donor funds, connecting donors with projects they felt passionate about and enabling donors to make informed decisions through research, the Community Foundation fulfills its mission of "Building Community by Building Philanthropy."

The Community Foundation of Central Florida is located at 1411 Edgewater Drive, Orlando, Florida. Telephone is 407/872-3050, website is www.myCFCF.org.

Members of the media --- Are you interested in a 3 minute, interactive demonstration on how you can use this tool immediately? We’ll show you back end data opportunities for your story angles

- How is this going to be “the Zillow of charitable organizations” in Central Florida?

- Who sits on the most boards in our region?

- How will this transparency shift the paradigm for giving and volunteering?

- Which charitable organization has the largest budget? The smallest? And much more.

Call Mark Brewer, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Central Florida, 407/872-3050 or Laura Bennett, Bennett & Company Marketing, 407/478-4040

AVAILABLE MONDAY the 23rd and TUESDAY the 24th