Local Community Foundation Marks 14th Anniversary, Announces New President

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - May 31, 2014 - PRLog -- Contact: Nita Schmellick, President,CEO
386-734-4075
info@cfecf.org

Volusia, Flagler, and Putnam Counties, FL - In May, over 100 community foundations collectively celebrated the 100^th anniversary of community foundations in the United States. Locally, the Community Foundation of East Central Florida (CFECF) celebrated its own 14^th anniversary in May.

Established in 2000, the Community Foundation of East Central Florida is a public 501c3 charity that advances local philanthropy, supports local non profits and responds to changing community needs. Serving Volusia, Flagler, and Putnam counties, the foundation is a member of the Community Foundations of Florida, Florida Philanthropic Network and the national Council on Foundations.

At the same time as the organization’s anniversary, President/CEO and founding member of community foundation, Nita Schmellick, is announcing her retirement with a great deal of accomplishment and pride.  Ms. Schmellick has led the organization through its birth and infancy and is now ready to step aside to watch her Board and its newly hired President and CEO, Dr. Victoria Kluwe build on the foundation she and past board members have laid.

“I am leaving on a high note,” Schmellick said, referring to the success of the organization’s Give Local Day in May which raised nearly $32,000 for 46 participating nonprofits in a 24-hour period of online giving, representing 254 individual donations.

“I am proud of all the successes. This is one of many local initiatives the foundation has lead over the last fourteen years. In these fourteen years they have had many successful projects:

1- Provided Health Education Programs for the farmworker community in Northwest Volusia

2 - Started the local prosperity campaign called “Campaign for Working Families”.

3 - With a coalition of partners, United Way of Volusia-Flagler, Center for Business Excellence, nonprofits, churches, banks and county agencies it provides free tax preparation, and financial education to almost 3,000 individuals each year in Volusia and Flagler Counties

4 - Helped to bring into the community from outside funding sources almost $500,000 to help fund programs in our community

5 - Formed a coalition of local agencies to address the hunger issue in our community in 2012, raising $10,000 that went to local food pantries. The Feed Our Neighbors effort is still continuing thru joint grant writing and bringing fresh produce into local food pantries.

CFECF’s role is not to run programs but to provide leadership to bring people together around issues and to marshal resources both inside and outside of the community to help address the needs identified.

“We have been a quite group working behind the scenes a lot of the time but our main focus is to build a group of funds that will help to make our nonprofits more sustainable over time.  From these funds we make grants to local nonprofits. I am very excited about the future of the foundation and know I am leaving it in good hands,“ Schmellick added.

“Nita is an incredible role model of servant leadership. She compassionately seeks to help individuals and the community to obtain what they need to improve their lives and to leave a legacy for their children and future generations to come,” Dr. Kluwe said in praise. “I am honored to follow in her footsteps.”

Dr. Kluwe has been an executive director for non profits for over 25 years. She most recently served as CEO of the Early Learning Coalition of Flagler and Volusia counties. Leaving the coalition in 2009, she went on to complete her education.

The Community Foundation of East Central Florida not only assists nonprofit partners, it helps individual donors, groups and corporations to fulfill their goals to give back and give forward strategically. It also provides opportunities for professional advisors and their clients to maximize the benefits of charitable giving through: estate planning; sale of a business or other major asset; retirement planning; and timing of an unusual financial gain, such as a major bonus.

For more information about the Community Foundation of East Central Florida go to its website, www.cfecf.org or contact them at 386-734-4075.