The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts has become the premier place in Central Florida to see a show, but the performers in this story are singing a different tune.
Nine years ago, Ashley Vann started an initiative to train nonprofits to tell their stories. The Victory Cup storytelling competition helps them reach a wider audience.
We were there as they took the stage in this state-of-the-art venue and put their skills to the test, all for a chance at $30,000.
The 9th annual Victory Cup Initiative was held on Feb. 1.
For Ashley Vann, it was the culmination of months of hard work. Vann is the founder of the storytelling showcase and competition.
“It’s so exciting,” Vann said. “I’m excited to hear the stories. The leaders have been working so hard. I’m sure some were even making changes last night.”
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Vann made her way through the crowd of hundreds at the pre-event reception. She welcomed friends, donors, community leaders and past winners.
“Everyone in the audience will vote to say who they thought did the best job,” Vann said, explaining how the event works. “But everyone walks away with a prize.”
Ten local nonprofits got the chance to tell their stories in front of hundreds of potential volunteers, donors and valuable connectors.
A representative from each organization had 150 seconds to share their story. At the end, the crowd uses an app on their phones to vote for the winner.
This year’s first-place winner was Haley Hunt from The Verb Kind, a mentoring program for kids in Juvenile detention.
“I feel like I just won American Idol,” Hunt said after her win. “This is amazing. I’m humbled because there were so many beautiful nonprofits that are doing incredible work.”
Lashea Reaves, founder of Eight Cents In A Jar won in 2022. She said the competition made a huge impact on her nonprofit. Eight cents In A Jar helps kids and young adults with financial literacy.
“As a result of Victory Cup, we went from being an all-volunteer organization with less than $100,000 in our budget, reaching 900 students. Now we’re an organization with a balance of over $300,000 servicing 1,500 students throughout Central Florida.”
Vann said she’s always been passionate about fundraising and started taking classes at the Edyth Bush Institute for Philanthropy and Nonprofit leadership.
“I met the most amazing nonprofit leaders and I decided we need to have one big event where we can get the nonprofit leaders together with the business community,” she said. “We can create an opportunity to hear the stories of what’s going on in our community.”
The Victory Cup Initiative has given away more than $2.5 million and worked with 82 nonprofit organizations since it’s creation.
The storytelling showcase helped distribute $175,000 in unrestricted funding to the ten local nonprofits that competed.
The competition started months ago as chosen nonprofits were trained by world-class storytellers from across a number of disciplines.
The nonprofits participating this year were: Central Florida Vocal Arts, Commission 127, Community Legal Services, Conservation Florida, Elevation Scholars, Family Promise of Brevard, Inc., Franklin’s Friends, Shepherd’s Hope, Special Hearts Farm and The Verb Kind
“The Victory Cup gives opportunities to these nonprofits to be able to be seen,” Haley Hunt said. “A lot of people have no idea the hard work that’s happening, the beautiful things that are happening in our community. So to be able to be seen and experience this, it sets our city apart for sure.”
Victory Cup Initiative planned to distribute $75,000 in unrestricted funds and professional services, but instead of each nonprofit going home with no less than $1,000, each walked away with no less than $25,000.
Jayne and Tom Sittema and the Devine Family Foundation announced they would match any donations collected boosting the overall payout.
Each nonprofit also went home with a new iPad provided by Aeras Technologies.
Winners:
1st Place: $75,000 - The Verb Kind is a unique and powerful mentoring program that reaches the youth inside the walls of a juvenile detention center and gives them a second chance through mentoring, education and connecting them with community resources.
2nd Place: $50,000 - Commission 127 strengthens and supports foster, adoptive and biological families in crisis by creating community and equipping churches to launch and lead Family Advocacy Ministries.
3rd Place: $45,000 - Special Hearts Farm serves individuals with disabilities and unique abilities by providing adult day training, supported employment, and possible entrepreneur business opportunities related to farming and gardening experiences.
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