First You Talk

Episode 24: Maternal Health Disparities

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2258261/fan_mail/new] This episode explores maternal health disparities, highlighting the challenges local women face and the opportunities for meaningful change. Hear from Jennie Joseph, midwife and founder of Commonsense Childbirth, and Kim Nguyen Gray, Chair of 100 Women Strong [https://cffound.org/100womenstrong]. Kim shares how 100 Women Strong arrived at its 2026 grantee decision of investing in maternal health through Commonsense Childbirth. Visit the First You Talk website [https://cffound.org/podcast]. Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/cffound/]. As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org [https://cffound.org/].

Episode 23: Trends in Philanthropy for 2026

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2258261/fan_mail/new] Mark and Laurie talk through three charitable giving trends they expect to see in 2026. Plus, Mark breaks down the generations and their typical giving behavior. You'll hear from: Mark Brewer, President/CEO, Central Florida Foundation Laurie Crocker, VP of Strategic Communications, Central Florida Foundation Mentioned in episode: * 100 Women Strong giving circle [https://cffound.org/engaging-community/100-women-strong/] * Magical Dining Press Release [https://www.visitorlando.org/media/press-releases/post/visit-orlandos-magical-dining-program-sets-new-record-w-398307-raised-to-support-local-charities/] * Addition Financial Press Release [https://foundation.additionfi.com/resources/addition-financial-foundation-awards-175000-to-central-florida-nonprofits-at-2025-community-giving-celebration] * A deeper dive into collective giving data and trends [https://johnsoncenter.org/2023-us-collective-giving-research-initiative/] * Philanos [https://philanos.org/Growth-of-Giving-Circles] Visit the First You Talk website [https://cffound.org/podcast]. Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/cffound/]. As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org [https://cffound.org/].

Episode 22: An Update on the Housing Crisis

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2258261/fan_mail/new] This episode of First You Talk re-examines housing from new angles: landlord engagement, private sector affordable housing development, and updates on housing trends and data. Guests: * Mark Brewer, President/CEO | Central Florida Foundation [https://cffound.org] * Sandi Vidal, VP of Community Strategies and Initiatives | Central Florida Foundation [https://cffound.org] * Niki Wilkerson, Co-Founder | Connections Ministry Nikhai's Closet * Ryan von Weller, COO | Wendover Housing Partners [https://wendovergroup.com/housing] * Brian Postlewait, COO | Homeless Services Network [https://www.hsncfl.org/] * Anna Ashie, Director of Housing Operations | Homeless Services Network [https://www.hsncfl.org/] Visit the First You Talk website [https://cffound.org/podcast]. Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/cffound/]. As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org [https://cffound.org/].

We're back for Season 3!

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2258261/fan_mail/new] Season 3 of Central Florida Foundation's First You Talk podcast is back on January 7th! Visit the First You Talk website [https://cffound.org/podcast]. Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/cffound/]. As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org [https://cffound.org/].

Trust and Transparency: What happened with GoFundMe's nonprofit pages?

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2258261/fan_mail/new] This episode of First You Talk wasn't on our schedule of episodes...but after GoFundMe published nonprofit pages in October without the knowledge or consent of millions of organizations, we had to talk about it and its impact on trust and transparency in the nonprofit world. Laurie discusses discovering Central Florida Foundation's nonprofit page and CFF's subsequent actions, then Steve (a newcomer to our team!) and Sandi talk about the implications. Guests: * Sandi Vidal, CFF's Vice President of Community Strategies and Initiatives * Steven J. Jerina, CFF's Vice President of Philanthropic Strategies and Partnerships Visit the First You Talk website [https://cffound.org/podcast]. Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/cffound/]. As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org [https://cffound.org/].