Robbinson to lead United Against Poverty agency
Longtime Orange County School Board member Nancy Robbinson has been tapped to lead United Against Poverty Orlando, one of Florida’s largest nonprofit agencies helping the working poor.
Robbinson served a decade on the school board, leaving in 2018 after losing to former Orange County Mayor
Teresa Jacobs in an election for board chairman.
The following year Robbinson became UP Orlando’s development officer, responsible for attracting major donations.
“I take great pride in being associated not only with a mission that offers so much to our community, but also the passionate and talented team who lift and encourage all those who step through our doors,” she said.
Robbinson, 56, takes over for Eric Gray, who stepped down May 15 to become executive director of the Christian Service Center for Central Florida.
UP Orlando, at 150 W. Michigan St., provides a members-only low-cost grocery store, crisis stabilization services, help finding affordable housing, a computer lab for job applications and training, counseling referrals for mental health or substance abuse problems and support for victims of domestic violence. It also helps low-income residents apply for food stamps, social security and veterans benefits and partners with Orange Blossom Family Health to offer primary and preventative health care.
“Nancy’s experience and strong commitment to community building make her an asset and a well-qualified choice to lead our Orlando campus,” said Gwendolyn Butson, CEO of United Against Poverty, the parent organization, which also has campuses in Fort Pierce and Vero Beach.
Robbinson is a native of Orlando and graduate of Auburn University, where she studied public relations. She holds certifications in nonprofit management and fundraising and development from Rollins College’s Edyth Bush Institute for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership.
She and her husband, Bill, have been supporters of United Against Poverty Orlando since its inception as the Destiny Foundation in 2001.