Recognized for its philanthropic contributions to Central Florida, Valencia College was awarded a 2018 Lighting the Way Award and $75,000 grant by the SunTrust Foundation.
The SunTrust Foundation’s Lighting the Way Awards recognizes select nonprofit organizations that strengthen their local communities through programs that help people better their circumstances and gain financial confidence.
“We’re committed to building stronger communities, and our nonprofit partners are addressing community needs in innovative and very meaningful ways,” said Stan Little, president of the SunTrust Foundation. “Valencia College is improving the lives of many people, and we applaud their mission, long-term service and the impact they’re making where it’s most needed.”
Valencia College is one of 36 nonprofits recognized by the 2018 Lighting the Way Awards in the categories of financial education, financial counseling, small business and entrepreneurship, and career readiness and workforce development. These organizations spanned the South and Midwest regions and received a total of $2.7 million in grants.
“We are very thankful for the SunTrust Foundation’s recognition of Valencia’s Centers for Accelerated Training and how these short-term job training programs impact the lives of students and families in our community,” said Joe Battista, vice president of global, professional and continuing education at Valencia College. “This grant will help us train even more students for high-paying jobs in advanced manufacturing, health care, transportation logistics and construction.”
Established in 2008, the SunTrust Foundation is committed to supporting a wide range of financial well-being efforts through grants and partnerships with local philanthropic organizations. To date, the SunTrust Foundation has awarded more than $140 million in grants to organizations across the United States.
Pictured above: Brian Henties, director of corporate partnerships, Valencia College Foundation, Joe Battista, vice president of global, professional and continuing education, Valencia College, and Scott Cathcart, CEO, Florida Division, SunTrust Bank, at the 2018 Lighting the Way Awards held in Atlanta on October 17.