Lift Orlando

What Lift Orlando does

Lift Orlando is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community development organization founded in 2013 in Orlando, Florida, operating as a "community quarterback" that convenes donors, residents, and institutional partners around a shared place-based revitalization agenda. It serves residents of Orlando's 32805 ZIP Code across six historic neighborhoods in The Communities of West Lakes (Lake Lorna Doone, Rock Lake, Spring Lake Manor, Lake Sunset/Luola Terrace, Bunche Manor/Hollando, and Clear Lake Cove), with recent geographic expansion into Washington Shores and Lake Mann. The organization coordinates a portfolio of interconnected facilities and programs spanning four pillars: mixed-income housing (Pendana at West Lakes, Pendana Senior Residences), cradle-to-career education (West Lakes Early Learning Center, EmpowerEd Scholarship Program, Orange Center Elementary charter conversion), health and wellness (Heart of West Lakes Wellness Center), and economic viability (West Lakes Financial Wellbeing Center, Small Business Institute). The West Lakes Community Campus represents over $100 million in deployed assets across six major community facilities.

The organization does not operate a technology product; its underlying operational infrastructure consists of standard nonprofit tooling (a Kindful donation platform, Squarespace-based website, email newsletter, and social channels) alongside physical community facilities operated by partner organizations. Its business model is donation- and grant-driven rather than revenue-generating: programs are delivered free of charge to residents, and operating funds are assembled from individual and corporate donations, foundation grants (Florida Blue Foundation, Truist Foundation, Dr. Phillips Charities, Fairwinds Foundation, REED Charitable Foundation), government grants (HUD Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant of $500,000, City of Orlando $250,000), and corporate event sponsorships. Distribution is entirely place-based, with each major program operating through a physical facility in the target geography. The go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven, using resident surveys, community meetings, campus tours, and signature events (Women's Luncheons, Love is Local Summits, Legacy in Bloom) to engage residents, donors, and partners. Accountability is supported by a Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency and Charity Navigator rating, and the organization maintains a board of directors drawn from local business leadership.

Name

Lift Orlando

Legal name

Lift Orlando

Website

https://liftorlando.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lift Orlando is a 501(c)(3) community development organization founded in 2013 that operates as a "community quarterback" in Orlando's 32805 ZIP Code, coordinating mixed-income housing, cradle-to-career education, health, and economic viability programs through over $100 million in community assets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Orlando

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual and corporate donations through online donation platforms and fundraising campaigns. The organization maintains a Candid Platinum Seal and Charity Navigator rating indicating strong donor support.
2. Government Grants: Federal, state, and local government funding including HUD Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant ($500,000), City of Orlando support ($250,000), and various public-private partnership funding.
3. Corporate and Foundation Grants: Support from foundations including Florida Blue Foundation, Truist Foundation, Dr. Phillips Charities, Fairwinds Foundation, and others for specific programs and initiatives.
4. Event Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships for events such as Women's Luncheons, Love is Local Summits, and community celebrations.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Lift Orlando is a place-based, community-quarterback nonprofit that operates an integrated portfolio of neighborhood facilities and programs — mixed-income housing, early childhood education, K-12 and college scholarship support, financial wellbeing counseling, health and wellness services, youth development, and a public park — all delivered free of charge to residents of Orlando's 32805 ZIP Code. Its work is funded by donations, foundation and government grants, and event sponsorships rather than by user fees.

Product overview

Lift Orlando is a place-based community development organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs and facilities focused on strengthening neighborhoods in Orlando's 32805 ZIP Code. The core offerings include the Heart of West Lakes Wellness Center (a 30,000-square-foot holistic health and wellness facility), the West Lakes Financial Wellbeing Center (financial counseling services), and HousED for Good (housing-education integration). Supporting facilities include Pendana at West Lakes (200 mixed-income apartments), Pendana Senior Residences (120 senior apartments), West Lakes Early Learning Center (AdventHealth-operated preschool), Jacqueline Bradley & Clarence Otis Family Branch Boys & Girls Club (31,000 SF youth facility), Lake Lorna Doone Park ($9M renovated park), and the Community Health and Wellness Center. Education initiatives include the EmpowerEd Scholarship Program and Orange Center Elementary charter school conversion. Community engagement programs include Love is Local, Lift Together Community Grants, and the Small Business Institute.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HousED for Good: Lift Orlando's integrated housing and education initiative, ensuring families in 32805 have both stability of homeownership and educational opportunity, pairing safe affordable housing with financial education, workforce training, and homeownership preparation.
• Heart of West Lakes Wellness Center
• EmpowerED Scholarship Program
• Lift Together Community Grants
• West Lakes Financial Wellbeing Center
• Love is Local

Products and services

• Heart of West Lakes Wellness Center A 30,000-square-foot state-of-the-art health and wellness center providing holistic health, financial, and lifestyle services including a healthcare clinic, café, coworking space, and community gathering areas for residents of the 32805 ZIP Code.
• West Lakes Financial Wellbeing Center A financial counseling center providing one-on-one financial counseling, financial literacy workshops, and the Prosperity Platform offering holistic financial planning services, having served more than 300 residents since its creation.
• HousED for Good Lift Orlando's integrated housing and education initiative pairing safe, affordable housing with financial education, workforce training, and homeownership preparation to build generational wealth in the 32805 ZIP Code.
• Pendana at West Lakes 200 award-winning mixed-income apartment homes offering high-quality affordable housing options in The Communities of West Lakes.
• Pendana Senior Residences of West Lakes 120 affordable senior residences providing quality housing for elderly residents in The Communities of West Lakes.
• West Lakes Early Learning Center A state-of-the-art early childhood education center operated by AdventHealth offering comprehensive health, nutrition, wellness, and social services for approximately 150 preschoolers.
• Jacqueline Bradley and Clarence Otis Family Branch Boys & Girls Club A 31,000-square-foot state-of-the-art youth facility offering programs for students ages 6-18 with STEM, arts, music, dance, and athletic programs, operated by Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida.
• Lake Lorna Doone Park A $9 million renovated 12-acre public park featuring a walking loop, fitness stations, barrier-free playground, basketball courts, splash pad, Arnold Palmer Putting Experience, football field, performance pavilion, and interactive arts garden.
• EmpowerEd Scholarship Program Scholarship program providing last-dollar funding up to $10,000 per student per academic year for students in the 32805 ZIP Code, covering tuition, books, technology, housing, transportation, and food.
• Orange Center Elementary Charter School A neighborhood charter school converting to a K-8 STEAM academy starting 2026-2027, operated by the Neighborhood Schools Initiative in partnership with Orange County Public Schools, with priority enrollment for local students.
• Love is Local A community movement promoting neighborly kindness pledges and local connections in Orlando neighborhoods.
• Lift Together Community Grants Resident-led grant program providing $500-$1,500 for small community projects in West Lakes, Washington Shores, Lake Mann, and Johnson Village.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $100 million in total investment deployed across six major community assets in The Communities of West Lakes
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Orlando Housing AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 September 2023Partnership for Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant to support comprehensive redevelopment of Lake Mann Homes (210 units) and Lorna Doone Apartments (104 units). Working with City of Orlando and residents to plan for public housing transformation in 32805 ZIP Code.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Central FloridacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2021Operator of Jacqueline Bradley and Clarence Otis Family Branch, a 31,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art club offering programs for students ages 6-18 with focus on arts, STEM, music, and athletics.
• Primrose SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Early education provider contributing approximately $750,000 in in-kind donations including Balanced Learning curriculum and operational support for West Lakes Early Learning Center over five years.
• Goodwill Industries of Central FloridacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partnership to develop and operate West Lakes Financial Wellbeing Center offering one-on-one financial counseling, financial literacy workshops, and the Prosperity Platform for holistic financial planning.
• AdventHealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare system operating the West Lakes Early Learning Center with comprehensive health, nutrition, wellness, and social services for children in The Communities of West Lakes.
• Community Health Centers, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederally Qualified Healthcare Provider selected to operate an 8,000 sq. ft. healthcare clinic on the second floor of Heart of West Lakes Wellness Center, offering same-day sick care, pediatrics, obstetrics, and more.
• Florida BluecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor healthcare partner and supporter of Heart of West Lakes Wellness Center, providing funding through Florida Blue Foundation and program support for health equity initiatives.
• Orlando HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare system partner in addressing health inequities in Orlando's west side communities through support of Heart of West Lakes Wellness Center.
• Columbia ResidentialcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-owner of Pendana at West Lakes mixed-income apartment community, partnering on development and management of 200 award-winning apartment homes.
• Apartment LifesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner at Pendana at West Lakes providing relationship-building programs, workshops, socials, classes, and family outings to enhance resident lifestyle and community connection.
• Florida Citrus SportscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary tenant of Camping World Stadium and key partner in Lake Lorna Doone Park reconstruction ($9M) and overall neighborhood transformation effort, providing leadership and resources.
• City of OrlandocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner providing $250,000 in funding for Choice Neighborhoods community outreach and planning, supporting public-private investment in 32805 ZIP Code transformation.
• Foundation for Orange County Public SchoolssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation offering Read2Succeed tutoring program for students in kindergarten through second grade at Orange Center Elementary to develop literacy skills.
• Valencia CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution partner in Prosperity Platform Active Referral Network, providing pathways for West Lakes residents to pursue higher education and workforce training.
• Harlem Children's ZonecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partner providing guidance and technical assistance for Lift Orlando's cradle-to-career education pathway initiatives and Orange Center Elementary partnership.
• Purpose Built CommunitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational network providing guidance and technical assistance for Lift Orlando's place-based community development model and education pathway initiatives.
• Orange County Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool district partner for public-private partnership at Orange Center Elementary, including charter conversion initiative and ongoing support for Jones High School through EmpowerEd Program.
• IDEAS For UssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization partnering with Lake Lorna Doone Park for weekend walking tours and environmental education programming.
• West Lakes PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness association in West Lakes District working to support local small businesses, community clean-up, façade improvements, and special events unifying residents and business owners.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Harlem Children's Zone: Original cradle-to-career pipeline operator cited by Lift Orlando as a national partner; runs a comparable neighborhood-as-ecosystem model combining housing, education, and family services for a defined geography.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida: Operator of the on-site Jacqueline Bradley and Clarence Otis Family Branch; comparable youth-development nonprofit serving the same children ages 6-18 with STEM, arts, and athletics programming.
• Purpose Built Communities: National network of place-based community development organizations that Lift Orlando explicitly models after; provides technical assistance and a shared cradle-to-career playbook across housing, education, health, and economic viability pillars.
• The Center for Community Investment: Organization focused on mobilizing investment to improve health and well-being in zip codes with significant disadvantage; shares the ZIP-code-as-determinant thesis and cross-sector capital deployment approach.

Others

• AdventHealth: Health system operating the West Lakes Early Learning Center on Lift Orlando's campus; adjacent ecosystem partner aligning hospital resources with social determinants of health in the same 32805 geography.

Regional players

• Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando: Local Habitat affiliate offering homeownership pathways and housing stability services in the same Central Florida market, partially overlapping the HousED for Good and Pendana homeownership work.

Broad incumbents

• United Way of Central Florida: Regional nonprofit umbrella funding place-based education, income, and health initiatives; comparable domestic funder footprint and collaborative partnership model.
• Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit developer and policy advocate combining affordable housing with education, health, and resilience programming; relevant analog for the mixed-income housing plus cradle-to-career strategy.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National CDFI and community development intermediary funding affordable housing, education, health, and economic development in distressed neighborhoods; broader portfolio but directly comparable mission and capital deployment.

Emerging players

• Goodwill Industries of Central Florida: Direct operating partner of the West Lakes Financial Wellbeing Center and Small Business Institute; a workforce/economic-mobility nonprofit with overlapping financial-counseling and job-readiness offerings.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@liftorlando
• Facebookfacebook.com/LiftOrlando
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lift-orlando
• Instagraminstagram.com/liftorlando

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lift Orlando