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Westgate Resorts Foundation Invests $1 Million In Central Florida Community

By  //  October 15, 2016

largest donation in single year for foundation

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The Westgate Resorts Foundation announced today its 2016 philanthropic investment of $1 million in Central Florida and in communities nationwide where Westgate Resorts operates.

ORLANDO, FLORIDA –The Westgate Resorts Foundation announced today its 2016 philanthropic investment of $1 million in Central Florida and in communities nationwide where Westgate Resorts operates.

This represents the largest distribution the Foundation has ever awarded in a single year.

In celebration of its 15th anniversary, the Foundation awarded grants to 50 nonprofits committed to Westgate’s new mission of Strong Families – Strong Workforce.

If families are equipped to break through barriers such as homelessness, domestic violence, gaps in education or returning to the workforce after military service, then they keep working or quickly return to work…paving their own path to self-sufficiency and lifelong success.

A strong workforce means thriving communities where people want to live and vacation.

Local nonprofits were honored during a breakfast event at Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa Conference Center in Orlando, where grant amounts were revealed.

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The Westgate Resorts Foundation will offer a series of challenge grants this year to existing grantees that collaborate in groups of two or more to innovatively tackle issues within the Foundation’s four focus areas of youth and family homelessness, domestic violence, education and veteran employment.

Orange County philanthropic spoke at the event, and in attendance were elected officials representing the federal and state legislature; Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Brevard counties; and the cities of Orlando, Kissimmee and Cocoa Beach.

“This was a great celebration of the positive work happening in all of our resort communities,” said David Siegel, president and CEO of Westgate Resorts. “Westgate Resorts Foundation’s new mission of Strong Families | Strong Workforce is rooted in a legacy of generosity and entrepreneurialism, but reflects a clear and intentional vision for the future and we have the right partners to help us accomplish it.”

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In keeping with an event theme of “strength through collaboration,” Westgate leadership challenged organizations in the room to build relationships with one another, a pre-cursor to collaboration and problem-solving.

The Westgate Resorts Foundation will offer a series of challenge grants this year to existing grantees that collaborate in groups of two or more to innovatively tackle issues within the Foundation’s four focus areas of youth and family homelessness, domestic violence, education and veteran employment.

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“Today was every bit as much about fostering relationships and collaboration as it was about celebrating a landmark investment of $1 million,” said Mara Frazier, senior director of the Westgate Resorts Foundation and Community Affairs.

“I’m excited to see the year unfold and how our grantee partners leverage resources and talent to create innovative solutions and bring permanent positive change to our community.”

A complete list of grant recipients is attached, which also reflects $175,000 for the David’s Dollars fund, a resource for Westgate Resorts team members in crisis.

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