Fifth Third Foundation, Strengthening Our Communities

Strengthening Our Communities award of $50,000 to Florida Community Loan Fund will support statewide financing programs

Florida Community Loan Fund has received $50,000 from Fifth Third Foundation’s Strengthening Our Communities fund. This award will help FCLF provide affordable housing through its lending programs that bring capital to Florida’s low-income communities. In 2018, the SOC fund awarded a total of $3 million dollars; bringing the program’s two-year total to $5.5 million. The SOC fund allows opportunities to positively affect communities through strategic philanthropic partnerships that align with the Fifth Third Bank community impact focus area priorities and Community Reinvestment Act objectives. Focus areas of the SOC are home ownership, affordable housing, small business development, and financial stability for families and individuals.

“The Fifth Third Foundation’s Strengthening Our Communities grant will support our community development financing programs and will help lead $15 million in direct financing by Florida Community Loan Fund,” said Ignacio Esteban, FCLF CEO. “Our financing creates opportunities for low-income Floridians including decent, safe and affordable housing. We thank Fifth Third for supporting our vision that every person in every community in Florida has an opportunity to live with dignity.”

FCLF is pleased to partner with Fifth Third Foundation to build strong and resourceful neighborhoods for our state’s low-income families. The Strengthening our Communities grant will support FCLF’s statewide community development lending efforts and help reach our 2019 fiscal year strategic goals in affordable housing financing and increasing capital deployment. As Florida’s most respected statewide community lender, Florida Community Loan Fund takes pride in helping underserved and underfunded communities. For over twenty years, our financing and expertise have supported growth and added value into our neighborhoods; and we continue to develop new resources and explore unique avenues to infuse more capital and build strong Florida communities.

“The Strengthening Our Community grants are impactful. Regardless of the neighborhood where one lives or works, every community is an ever-evolving, all-encompassing entity, created by the people who call those neighborhoods home,” said Heidi Jark, managing director, Fifth Third Foundation. “We are intentional about building communities because we know that as their residents become empowered, their entire surroundings will flourish.”

Learn more in the Fifth Third Foundation press release here.

Components of Capital

Cumulative Financing

"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

"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 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

“Expanding our facility with NMTC financing provides the Overtown community resources necessary to provide a fighting chance to break down barriers and break the cycles of poverty.” – Tina Brown, CEO

Overtown Youth Center

"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

“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

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

BBVA Compass

"FCLF is a difference maker! Their team provides solutions to bring about real change in a community." – Tim Marks, President & CEO

Metropolitan Ministries

"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 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

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

Neighborhood Renaissance

“We cannot thank FCLF enough for this partnership, creating permanent housing for our neighbors in need, and their commitment to Florida communities.” – Shannon Nazworth, President & CEO

Ability Housing

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

Dignity Health

"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 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

"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

"We appreciate how the work of FCLF primarily benefits low- to moderate-income individuals and areas and supports the needs of our community." – Maria J. Thompson, Community Development Manager

Third Federal Savings

"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…

"The Fathers Table Foundation appreciates the services FCLF provides and the impact on the communities you serve. We believe in your organization and your mission." – Dan Gilardi, President

Fathers Table Foundation

"Aida Palms will be a lasting asset to the City of Lakeland. This revitalization wouldn't be possible without financing partners like FCLF." – Mitchell Rosenstein, Principal, Green Mills Group

Aida Palms

Our Partners

Greater Heights offers new, safe, affordable rental homes in what was formerly a high crime area.

FCLF representatives are ready to talk about your project success.

Emma Jewel Charter Academy offers education for the whole child in Brevard County.

Rep. Daniel Webster visited FCLF staff.

Support from Valley Bank helps FCLF build strong communities.

Residents at Neighborhood Renaissance's Mathis Place enjoy affordable rent.

FCLF projects create jobs and stimulate development in low-income communities.

DuPuis Pointe offers affordable, hurricane proof homes in Miami.

FCLF supporter, the Northern Trust Company, hosted a housing roundtable in Sarasota.

FCLF Board Members represent our investors, borrowers, and technical experts.

ASPIRA of Florida offers education & mentoring with a focus on low-income and Latino students.

FCLF and NMTC are creating a new facility for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County

FCLF staff are active at statewide conferences and events.

Nutritious snacks are a part of the healthy focused curriculum at Emma Jewel Charter Academy.

FCLF Chief Lending Officer visits with the Executive Director of Neighbor Up (formerly BNDC)

Support from Axiom Bank helps FCLF build strong communities.

Support from TD Bank Charitable Foundation helps FCLF build strong communities.

New rental homes are available for farmworker families at Casa San Juan Bosco.

FCLF projects create jobs and stimulate development in low-income communities.

FCLF Financing to Neighbor Up Brevard helps provide affordable rental housing.

TD Charitable Foundation and TD Bank have supported FCLF's mission since 2006.

FCLF CEO and one of our supporters visit the ASPIRA Arts Deco school.

FCLF Staff are on hand at conferences and events to discuss our programs.

FCLF staff and US Legislative staff at an event honoring Youth of the Year.

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, financed the land for farmworker rental housing with FCLF.

Rep. Ander Crenshaw visited KIPP Jacksonville School

FCLF staff with Tampa's Chloe Coney at Metropolitan Ministries Tampa.

FCLF staff and supporters volunteer at Million Meals event.

The duPont Fund used FCLF and NMTC Financing to revitalize downtown Jacksonville.

Neighbor Up, formerly BNDC, offers affordable housing in Brevard County.

The RCRI Conference allows FCLF staff to touch base with our religious supporters.

FCLF financing to Housing Programs, Inc. helps provide affordable homes for ownership.

FCLF Staff meet and greet friends at an FLACDC event.

FCLF and the NMTC Program renovated a historic building into a small business incubaor.

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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.