PHOTO VIA VICTORY CUP INITIATIVE
Applications open August 24 for the 12th annual Victory Cup Initiative (Website), giving nonprofits in Orange, Osceola, Brevard and Seminole counties the chance to compete for unrestricted funding, storytelling training and a stage in front of more than 600 business and philanthropic leaders.
Over 11 years, Victory Cup Initiative has trained and championed 102 nonprofits and distributed more than $5 million to local causes, according to the organization.
Selected organizations get about 2.5 minutes to tell their story on stage in front of 600 community leaders at the annual breakfast. Earlier this year, nine nonprofits, 4Roots, Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida, Florida Wildlife Hospital, One Heart for Women and Children, Grace Counseling, Perform Orlando Arts, Recovery House, SALT Outreach and The Penitent Thief Inc., received more than $509,000 in unrestricted funding at the 11th annual Victory Cup Storytelling Breakfast at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Each organization received at least $24,000, with amounts determined through the event’s audience-participation format and how sexy their respective pitches were.
To be eligible, organizations must be registered 501(c)(3) public charities headquartered in Orange, Osceola, Brevard, or Seminole County, established for at least three years from the date of their IRS determination letter, and registered with the state’s Check-A-Charity system. Applicants must also submit their organization’s current Form 990. Private foundations are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Previous Victory Cup finalists are not eligible to reapply.
Applications open August 24 and close September 11. Finalists will be announced October 19, and the 12th annual Victory Cup Storytelling Breakfast is set for February 23, 2027.
More information and the application are available HERE.
