By Dr. Phyllis Olmstead
Editor's Note: In the wake of leadership changes at the Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce, Chairman Matt DiSalvatore sought to clarify the role of the Apopka Serves Foundation.
“To be clear, Apopka Serves Foundation has never been a contractor for the Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce, nor has it provided services on behalf of the Chamber. The organization is not implicated in recent events, and we regret any confusion that may have suggested otherwise.”
Although not a current vendor or service provider, the foundation’s roots are directly tied to the Chamber itself. What began as a charitable committee within the Chamber grew into a formally incorporated 501(c)(3) in 2022, originally named the Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, before eventually becoming the Apopka Serves Foundation, Inc.
The following article, written by Apopka resident Dr. Phyllis Olmstead, traces that evolution—exploring how a Chamber initiative became an independent nonprofit with its own leadership, mission, and direction.
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What began as a small charitable committee of the Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce has grown into a standalone nonprofit, now known as the Apopka Serves Foundation, Inc. The organization’s journey over the past three years reflects changes in leadership, finances, and mission clarity, but its current board says the focus is squarely on service and measurable impact in the Apopka community.
From chamber committee to independent nonprofit
The Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce (AACC), incorporated in 1974, launched a charitable committee called Apopka Serves to support community causes. Recognizing the need for a more formal structure, the Chamber funded the incorporation and IRS filings for a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2022. That entity was originally named the Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc. (AACCF).
Related from 2022: Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce launches charitable foundation.
On May 24, 2022, the foundation was officially registered with the State of Florida at the Chamber’s longtime address, 180 East Main Street in Apopka. Just two and a half months later, on August 9, 2022, the IRS issued the organization a letter of exemption, granting 501(c)(3) tax-deductible status.
During this period, then-Chamber President/CEO Dr. Cate Manley oversaw the development of several Chamber subsidiaries. Alongside the foundation, she incorporated a separate for-profit entity, Apopka Chamber Corp., on September 21, 2022. That corporation was later dissolved in April 2024, just 19 months after its formation.
Early financial picture
The Apopka Chamber Foundation, Inc. is registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), which requires annual reports from charities. The first available report, filed for the year ending December 31, 2023, reflected the foundation’s spending under Manley’s leadership:
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47% ($15,029.43) went to program services
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44% ($14,056.13) to administrative expenses
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9% ($2,777.36) to fundraising costs
That year, the foundation reported a deficit of $12,181.83.
Charity watchdogs typically point to the program services ratio — the percentage of funds spent directly on mission-related activities — as a key indicator of effectiveness. Donors often look for organizations to spend the majority of their resources on direct community impact, at least 80% and up to 100%.
New leadership, new direction
When Chad Creech became chairman of the board in April 2024, he says the organization immediately began reducing overhead.
“Administrative fees dropped to less than $200 per month starting in May on average and less than $60 per month starting in July,” Creech said.
On June 19, 2024, the foundation was legally renamed Apopka Serves Foundation, Inc. with the State of Florida, reflecting its independent identity. The board also updated its address to 10 N. Park Avenue, Suite B, in Apopka.
Creech provided estimated financial data that will be formally reported to FDACS for 2024. Under his leadership, the foundation reports:
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Total Revenue: $44,675
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Total Expenses: $39,406.67
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Program Services: $25,927.18 (65.8%)
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Administrative: $9,960.00 (25.3%)
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Fundraising: $3,519.49 (8.9%)
“The goal this year is to be over 90% in program services expense,” Creech said.
