We told you HERE last month that Winter Park-based Victory Cup Initiative (Website) was hosting a “Shark Tank”-style event at Alfond Inn to award funds to ten featured local organizations.
Those groups were prompted to share their stories in just 150 seconds in front of an audience of 500 community and business leaders for cash prizes totaling $100,000. During the event, that prize package was dramatically increased to $500,000 due to the combined effort of a number of the attendees.
“With the help of Tom Sittema of Conversus and a few other local business leaders in the room, more than $500,000 was raised on the spot at the breakfast for the participating nonprofits. The crowd erupted with applause and cheering!”
– CHAUNIQUA MAJOR
Each of the participants was able to walk away with at least $60,000 in unrestricted funds to support their causes.
Recipients
- 1st Place: 8 Cents in a Jar Inc. – $25,000 became $75,000
- 2nd Place: Harbor House of Central Florida, Inc. – $20,000 became $70,000
- 3rd Place: Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida – $15,000 became $65,000
Runner-Ups: Each runner-up thought they were taking home $1,000, but went home with $60,000
- Aeras Foundation
- AMI Kids
- Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida
- One Purse
- Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida, Inc.,
- Steinway Society of Central Florida
- The Mustard Seed of Central Florida, Inc.
