Change Makers Breakfast Celebrates $127,000 in Grants and the People Behind the Work

What happens when you bring together nonprofit leaders, community advocates and changemakers who share a commitment to making Central Florida stronger?

Connections are made, ideas are exchanged and meaningful work gets the support it needs to grow. On August 11, the Parikh Giving Alliance welcomed an invitation-only group of 50 community leaders to Eola View for our Summer Change Makers Breakfast. The morning celebrated the organizations selected through our 2026 Summer Grant Cycle and the people whose passion continues to move our community forward.

Three Leaders. Three Powerful Stories.

A favorite feature of the Change Makers Breakfast is our Power Chat, which brings together three inspirational local leaders representing our giving pillars of Healthcare, Education and the Arts.. Rather than a traditional panel discussion, each speaker was given five minutes to reflect on one personal question:

“The Moment I Knew This Was My Work.”

Representing Healthcare, Dr. Anjali Vyas, President of Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies, shared her perspective on a career dedicated to caring for women, babies and families.

Representing Education, Sergeant Neil Clarke of Orange County Sheriff’s Office Youth Services spoke from his experience working with and supporting young people in our community.

And representing the Arts, Camara Gaither, City of Orlando Poet Laureate, shared the role creativity and the written word can play in connecting and strengthening a community. Together, their stories were a reminder that meaningful change often begins with a very personal sense of purpose.

$87,000 Invested in Central Florida Nonprofits

The morning also marked the culmination of our 2026 Summer Grant Cycle. This summer, the Parikh Giving Alliance awarded $87,000 to 12 nonprofit organizations through Event Elevation, Cornerstone and Transformational Change grants.

Each recipient was invited to the stage to receive their award and share a 60-second introduction to their mission.

Event Elevation Grants — $1,500 each

Supporting events that foster community connection, awareness and enrichment:

• Seniors First

• Joyful Music Therapy

• Orlando Youth Alliance

Cornerstone Grants — $7,500 each

Supporting significant capital and infrastructure projects that strengthen long-term community impact:

• AMSS Clinic

• Maitland Art & History

• Freedom Ride

Transformational Change — Year 1 — $10,000 each

Beginning the first year of a two-year, $20,000 investment:

• Touched By Type 1

• Dave’s House

• Grace Medical Home

Transformational Change — Year 2 — $10,000 each

Receiving the second year of their two-year investment:

• Paving the Way Foundation

• Central Florida Community Arts

• Pathlight HOME

With $41,000 awarded in the spring and $87,000 this summer, the Parikh Giving Alliance has awarded $128,000 through its 2026 grant cycles.

"We love the Change Makers Breakfast because it gives us the chance to connect with some of the people doing the hard work and moving our community forward. It’s inspiring to see the hugs, the handshakes, the coffee dates being made and new connections taking shape. That’s what this breakfast is really about: connection.'" Beena Parikh, Co-Founder Parikh Giving Alliance

View Photos from the Event.

Learn More about our Grants, Collaboration Circles and Mission Field Trips.