CEO, CDC of Tampa

Ernest Coney, Jr., FCLF Board MemberErnest Coney, Jr., is CEO of the Corporation to Development Communities of Tampa (CDC of Tampa). He brought over 15 years of executive management-level experience in providing health, social and economic programs to benefit low to moderate income persons and the elderly. With an undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College and a master’s degree from the University of South Florida, he developed strong business acumen in the areas of management, finance, and performance improvement. In his previous position as COO of CDC of Tampa, Mr. Coney expanded the concept of community building “Brick by Brick and Block by Block” – creating jobs, providing entrepreneurship training, providing financial literacy, developing youth leadership, revitalizing commercial areas, and building affordable housing. The nonprofit corporation has also enhanced its reach, by helping over 1,000 individuals systematically break the cycle of poverty on an annual basis.

Within the first few years of his tenure as CEO, Mr. Coney leveraged over $50 million dollars in joint venture projects, to include real estate and program service projects. Most notably was the development of Fort King Colony, a 120-unit affordable apartment complex and Haley Park, an 80-unit senior housing complex. He has also helped to create two prominent county-wide, cross sector collaborations – Economic Prosperity Center and Safe & Sound Hillsborough, as well as, designed a national award-winning City-Wide Façade Program. Under his leadership the CDC has created Tampa Vocational Institute (TVI), to address the disproportionate rates of unemployment and underemployment in urban neighborhoods. TVI has increased CDC’s ability to address the growing “skills gap” and corporate training needs for local area businesses and individuals.

Over its 30 years, CDC of Tampa has generated more than $445.25 million in economic impact to the Tampa Bay Region, providing comprehensive community development strategies that connect workforce development, housing and real estate with education, community safety and resident leadership to drive economic prosperity.

"FCLF staff shares our vision and commitment to serve needy families and provide a high quality education to all children." – Thomas Cole, Founder

Emma Jewel Charter Academy

"FCLF demonstrates a mission-oriented philosophy that is compatible and supportive, broadens our platform and deepens our portfolio of products and services." – Kent Adcock, CEO

Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter

“The partnership with FCLF is very exciting for us – an essential component in providing greater access to fresh healthy food in downtown New Port Richey.” – Jeff Wright, Owner

Wright's Natural Market

"FCLF shows a clear strategy and demonstrated evidence of addressing prevalent community needs." – J. Reymundo Ocañas, Director, Corp Responsibility

BBVA Compass

"BankUnited understands the challenges facing our communities; we applaud FCLF's efforts. Thank you for making our community a better place to live." – Katrina Wright, VP Comm. Dev.

BankUnited

"Without the FCLF initial loan to purchase land, we might not have been able to move forward with farmworker housing." – Peter Routsis-Arroyo, CEO, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice

Casa San Juan Bosco

“FCLF provides stability for families, strengthens the region, and helps Truist fulfill our purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities." – Sandy Hostetter, Central Florida Region P

Truist

"We commend the important work of your organization, are glad to support its efforts." – Beverly Dabney

JPMorgan Chase Foundation

“FCLF will help us have significant ongoing impact in West Lakes as we help families set roots in this community.” – Camille Reynolds, Executive Director

Hannibal Square CLT

"Trinity Health is happy to partner with FCLF. We look forward to seeing the impact in the communities you serve." – Sr. Kathleen Coll, SSJ, Administrator, Shareholder Advocacy

Trinity Health

"Cade Museum is proud to be partners with FCLF and JPMorgan Chase. Thanks to the NMTC Program, we will provide a transformative asset to our community." – Jennifer Denault, COO

Cade Museum for Creativity & Inventi…

"We consider FCLF a valued partner and strong advocates for low-income communities and families. We look forward to many more years of working together." – Jennifer Westerbeck, Vice President

US Bancorp CDC

"FCLF plays a significant role in sustaining vibrant and thriving communities. We are pleased to support your ongoing community based efforts." – Ernie Diaz, South Florida Market President

TD Charitable Foundation

"Our relationship with FCLF provides the capital to achieve long-lasting impact." – Terri Murray, Exec Dir

Neighborhood Renaissance

"FCLF understood our context, embraced the project vision, and were willing to make an investment that others deemed as too risky." – Lynn Brockwell-Carey, Executive Director

Neighbor Up Brevard

“Thank you so very much for the exceptional services. We truly value FCLF’s contributions to furthering our mission." – Michael L. Bean, CEO

Housing Authority of Brevard County

"Thank you to our friends at FCLF. Your staff has been patient and helpful. We'll make you proud!" – Bill Lazar, Executive Director

St. Johns Housing Partnership

"FCLF has proven its community impact and hard work. We are proud to partner with FCLF." – Leslie Watson, Analyst, Community Investments

Dignity Health

“FCLF addresses local community needs, which aligns with our core values. We appreciate your commitment to our communities.” – Mellissa Slover-Athey, Comm Reinv Ofcr

CenterState Bank

"We appreciate the accomplishments your organization attains." - Robert Sucher, Executive VP

Sabadell United Bank

Our Partners

Rep. Ander Crenshaw visited KIPP Jacksonville School
Rep. Ander Crenshaw visited KIPP Jacksonville School
FCLF projects create jobs and stimulate development in low-income communities.
FCLF projects create jobs and stimulate development in low-income communities.
Neighbor Up, formerly BNDC, offers affordable housing in Brevard County.
Neighbor Up, formerly BNDC, offers affordable housing in Brevard County.
FCLF Staff are on hand at conferences and events to discuss our programs.
FCLF Staff are on hand at conferences and events to discuss our programs.
FCLF Chief Lending Officer visits with the Executive Director of Neighbor Up (formerly BNDC)
FCLF Chief Lending Officer visits with the Executive Director of Neighbor Up (formerly BNDC)
FCLF staff and supporters volunteer at Million Meals event.
FCLF staff and supporters volunteer at Million Meals event.
Residents at Neighborhood Renaissance's Mathis Place enjoy affordable rent.
Residents at Neighborhood Renaissance's Mathis Place enjoy affordable rent.
Emma Jewel Charter Academy offers education  for the whole child in Brevard County.
Emma Jewel Charter Academy offers education for the whole child in Brevard County.
TD Charitable Foundation and TD Bank have supported FCLF's mission since 2006.
TD Charitable Foundation and TD Bank have supported FCLF's mission since 2006.
Nutritious snacks are a part of the healthy focused curriculum at Emma Jewel Charter Academy.
Nutritious snacks are a part of the healthy focused curriculum at Emma Jewel Charter Academy.
Greater Heights offers new, safe, affordable rental homes in what was formerly a high crime area.
Greater Heights offers new, safe, affordable rental homes in what was formerly a high crime area.
DuPuis Pointe offers affordable, hurricane proof homes in Miami.
DuPuis Pointe offers affordable, hurricane proof homes in Miami.
FCLF representatives are ready to talk about your project success.
FCLF representatives are ready to talk about your project success.
Support from Axiom Bank helps FCLF build strong communities.
Support from Axiom Bank helps FCLF build strong communities.
Support from TD Bank Charitable Foundation helps FCLF build strong communities.
Support from TD Bank Charitable Foundation helps FCLF build strong communities.
FCLF financing to Housing Programs, Inc. helps provide affordable homes for ownership.
FCLF financing to Housing Programs, Inc. helps provide affordable homes for ownership.
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, financed the land for farmworker rental housing with FCLF.
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, financed the land for farmworker rental housing with FCLF.
FCLF Board Members represent our investors, borrowers, and technical experts.
FCLF Board Members represent our investors, borrowers, and technical experts.
FCLF staff with Tampa's Chloe Coney at Metropolitan Ministries Tampa.
FCLF staff with Tampa's Chloe Coney at Metropolitan Ministries Tampa.
The RCRI Conference allows FCLF staff to touch base with our religious supporters.
The RCRI Conference allows FCLF staff to touch base with our religious supporters.
FCLF Financing to Neighbor Up Brevard helps provide affordable rental housing.
FCLF Financing to Neighbor Up Brevard helps provide affordable rental housing.
FCLF and the NMTC Program renovated a historic building into a small business incubaor.
FCLF and the NMTC Program renovated a historic building into a small business incubaor.
FCLF projects create jobs and stimulate development in low-income communities.
FCLF projects create jobs and stimulate development in low-income communities.
FCLF supporter, the Northern Trust Company, hosted a housing roundtable in Sarasota.
FCLF supporter, the Northern Trust Company, hosted a housing roundtable in Sarasota.
FCLF CEO and one of our supporters visit the ASPIRA Arts Deco school.
FCLF CEO and one of our supporters visit the ASPIRA Arts Deco school.
FCLF and NMTC are creating a new facility for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County
FCLF and NMTC are creating a new facility for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County
FCLF Staff meet and greet friends at an FLACDC event.
FCLF Staff meet and greet friends at an FLACDC event.
The duPont Fund used FCLF and NMTC Financing to revitalize downtown Jacksonville.
The duPont Fund used FCLF and NMTC Financing to revitalize downtown Jacksonville.
Support from Valley Bank helps FCLF build strong communities.
Support from Valley Bank helps FCLF build strong communities.
FCLF staff and US Legislative staff at an event honoring Youth of the Year.
FCLF staff and US Legislative staff at an event honoring Youth of the Year.
New rental homes are available for farmworker families at Casa San Juan Bosco.
New rental homes are available for farmworker families at Casa San Juan Bosco.
FCLF staff are active at statewide conferences and events.
FCLF staff are active at statewide conferences and events.
ASPIRA of Florida offers education & mentoring with a focus on low-income and Latino students.
ASPIRA of Florida offers education & mentoring with a focus on low-income and Latino students.
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Core Purpose FCLF exists to maximize opportunities for people and places outside of the economic mainstream.
Our Vision Opportunity and dignity exist for every person and community in Florida.
Our Mission Our expertise and capital make projects successful and help organizations improve lives and communities.