Orlando, September 7, 2026 – The Central Florida Urban League (CFUL) is proud to announce that we received a Truist Foundation grant to expand our Entrepreneurship and Small Business Certification (ESB) Program. This grant will directly provide 50 entrepreneurs and small business owners with access to comprehensive business training, financial literacy education, mentorship, and networking opportunities to foster long-term business success and economic mobility.

"By supporting CFUL, Truist Foundation is directly supporting the dreams and economic potential of entrepreneurs throughout Central Florida," said Elizabeth R. Grace, President and CEO of the Central Florida Urban League. "Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and this funding will empower entrepreneurs to turn their vision into thriving businesses that create jobs, expand opportunity, and build pathways to generational wealth for families across Central Florida."

"At Truist, our purpose is to inspire and build better lives and communities, and we believe small businesses are essential to creating opportunity and strengthening local economies,” said Erich Maschhoff, Truist’s market president for Central Florida. “Through our partnership with the Central Florida Urban League, entrepreneurs will gain the skills, resources, and connections needed to grow sustainable businesses, create jobs, and build lasting economic mobility throughout Central Florida."

The Truist Foundation grant will provide participants with hands-on business development instruction aligned with Central Florida's economic landscape. This includes individualized mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and business leaders as well as workforce readiness training focused on communication, digital literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving. The program also includes robust financial literacy training covering credit building, banking relationships, cash flow management, capital readiness, and strategies for accessing capital.
 

About the Central Florida Urban League

The Central Florida Urban League empowers Central Floridians to achieve social and economic equity through education, employment, and entrepreneurship. Through innovative programs and strategic partnerships, our organization empowers youth and adults throughout our community to develop the skills, confidence, and opportunities they need to achieve economic mobility, build financial stability, strengthen their families, and create lasting prosperity for themselves and future generations.

About Truist Foundation

Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation's (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. The Foundation, an endowed private foundation established in 2020 whose operating budget is independent of Truist Financial Corporation, makes strategic investments in a wide variety of nonprofit organizations centered around two focus areas: building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses to ensure all communities have an opportunity to thrive. Embodying these focus areas are the Foundation’s leading initiatives – the Inspire Awards and Where It Starts. Learn more at Truistfoundation.org.