DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. | August 25, 2026 | More than 400 women came together at the Ocean Center on August 21 for the 23rd annual Power of the Purse, presented by Brown & Brown and Publix Super Market Charities, benefiting the Community Foundation and United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties.
The annual event is hosted by Women United-Volusia, an affinity program of the Community Foundation and United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties (CF/UWVFC). This year’s program focused on children growing up in the ALICE population, an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, representing working households who are earning an income but struggling to afford the basic costs of living.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to enter school ready to learn, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances,” said Courtney Edgcomb, President and CEO of CF/UWVFC. “When we invest in children and families today, we are strengthening the future of our entire community. Power of the Purse gives us an opportunity to come together around the issues that matter most and turn that collective generosity into meaningful impact.”
The event featured Allison Miller of the Early Learning Coalition, who spoke about the importance of kindergarten readiness and the critical role early learning plays in a child’s long-term success. Her remarks highlighted the challenges many local families face in accessing quality early childhood education and the importance of ensuring children have the skills and support they need before entering kindergarten.
For families living in the ALICE population, the cost of necessities such as housing, child care, transportation, food and health care can create significant barriers to stability. Those challenges can have a profound impact on children, including their ability to access quality early learning and arrive at kindergarten prepared to succeed.
Power of the Purse serves as an annual opportunity for women to come together in support of solutions that strengthen local families and create greater opportunities for children. CF/UWVFC works with donors, nonprofit organizations, businesses and community partners to address the region’s most pressing needs and create lasting change. Through collective philanthropy and strategic investment, the organization continues to support initiatives that help local residents build stronger, more stable futures.
The 23rd annual Power of the Purse demonstrated once again what is possible when a community comes together with a shared commitment to creating brighter futures for its children and families.
