In 2006, the Orlando City Council approved an Agreement with the Community Foundation of Central Florida, Inc. (now called the Central Florida Foundation) to establish the Legacy Trust for Orlando Children ("Legacy Trust"), thus creating a mechanism for making grants to non-profit organizations that support the academic, social and economic success of low-income children in the City of Orlando, starting in Parramore via Parramore Kidz Zone.

To date, grants have been made from the Legacy Trust to support a variety of programs and services offered by non-profit organizations that benefit Parramore children. These organizations have included: New Image Youth Center, the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County, Page 15, and Community Coordinated Care for Children, among others. Funding distributed to these organizations has enabled Parramore youth to access such things as free tutoring, jobs, college scholarships, athletic programs, pre-kindergarten programs, and emergency economic assistance for their families to prevent eviction and utility shut-offs.

During FY 2020/2021, the City allocated significant additional funds to the Families, Parks and Recreation Department's budget, to replicate the Kidz Zone model in three additional neighborhoods:  Holden Heights, Engelwood, and Mercy Drive.

To this end, by approving this agenda item, the Orlando City Council will authorize a grant in the amount of $1.5 million to the Central Florida Foundation, to be deposited into the Legacy Trust for Orlando Children, so that grants can be made to organizations that provide beneficial services to children in the Parramore, Holden Heights, Engelwood, and Mercy Drive zones.

Funding for this grant has been budgeted and approved by City Council as part of FPR’s FY 2020/2021 budget.