Event Details
About This Event
Some women lead from the front. Some lead from the ground. Some lead while carrying everything, a career, a family, a mission, and a community, all at once. This luncheon is for all of them.
The Rooted & Rising Women in Nonprofit Leadership Luncheon is a celebration of the women who power Central Florida's nonprofit sector. The visionaries. The collaborators. The quiet forces. The ones who carry every crown without ever being handed the recognition they deserve.
Presented by BIG SIS, Inc. and the Infinity Hub Program, this is an afternoon of community, celebration, and long-overdue applause. Seven award presentations. Ten community stipends. One room full of people who show up every single day.
Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 12-3 PM
Doors open at 11:30 AM for networking
The Grove Room at Healthy West Orange
1200 E Plant St
Winter Garden, FL 34787
What to Expect
When you walk through those doors, you are walking into a room that was built for this moment.
- A seated luncheon experience in the heart of Winter Garden, FL
- Seven award presentations honoring women in nonprofit leadership across Central Florida
- The presentation of ten Rooted & Rising Community Stipends to local moms in need — presented live at the luncheon
- Networking with nonprofit leaders, entrepreneurs, community advocates, and purpose-driven professionals from across Central Florida
- Vendors in the lobby featuring local businesses and organizations
- An afternoon you will not forget
Tickets
Early Bird: $47 per person — available through August 2, 2026
Regular: $57 per person — available August 3 through event date.
Seating is limited. This event is expected to sell out. Secure your ticket early.
All ticket sales are final. No refunds.
Become a Sponsor or
Purchase a Program Ad
Your sponsorship puts your brand in front of a room full of nonprofit leaders, community advocates, and purpose-driven professionals who make decisions, build partnerships, and invest in their communities.
Sponsorship tiers start at $250.
Program advertising starts at $25.
All sponsorships must be submitted by August 8, 2026 for inclusion in printed materials. Click the link to view sponsorship and advertising opportunities
Each vendor table includes one table in the lobby for the duration of the event and a business card size ad in the printed Rooted & Rising event program distributed to all attendees. Vendor fee: $125
Vendor tables do not include luncheon admission. Tickets are available separately on this page.
Vendor registration deadline: August 8, 2026.
Become a Vendor
Want to put your business or organization directly in front of every person who walks through the door?
Vendor tables are located in the lobby of The Grove Room at Healthy West Orange — the first thing every guest sees when they arrive. With 50–120 expected attendees made up of nonprofit leaders, entrepreneurs, community advocates, and purpose-driven professionals, every single person at this event passes your table on the way in and on the way out.
Only 4 vendor spots are available.
Each vendor table includes one table in the lobby for the duration of the event and a business card size ad in the printed Rooted & Rising event program distributed to all attendees. Vendor table fee: $125
The Awards
The Rooted & Rising Award — Highest Honor of the Evening
The signature award of the night. Honoring a woman whose impact is transforming Central Florida's nonprofit community.
This is the crown of the evening.
Lifetime Impact Award
Honoring a woman with a long career of nonprofit leadership and mentorship in Central Florida. She has been at this for years and the community is better because of it.
Rising Leader Award
Honoring a newer leader under five years in a leadership role, who is already making fast, measurable impact. She arrived and got to work.
Community Champion Award
Honoring a grassroots leader driving community change, with or without a formal executive title. She does not need a corner office to make a difference.
The Many Crowns Award
Honoring the woman who is a wife, mother, professional, and nonprofit leader, carrying every crown with grace. She does it all and somehow makes room for more.
Collaborative Leadership Award
Honoring a leader known for cross-organization partnerships and coalition-building. She knows that the mission is bigger than any one organization.
The Quiet Force Award
Honoring the woman on the ground doing the work every single day powerful, present, and rarely in the spotlight. This one is for her.
Nominate Someone
Do you know a woman leading in nonprofit work who deserves to be in that room?
Nominations are open through August 3, 2026.
Self-nominations are accepted.
The Rooted & Rising
Community Stipend
In the spirit of Rooted & Rising, BIG SIS, Inc. will award ten community stipends to local Central Florida moms in need — presented live at the luncheon on August 22, 2026.
No documentation required. No competition. No judgment. Just a community that sees you.
All applications are reviewed privately by a small committee and handled with full dignity and confidentiality. Recipients are recognized according to their own preference.
Stipend applications close August 1, 2026.
Who can attend?
This event is open to anyone who supports, celebrates, or works alongside women in nonprofit leadership in Central Florida. All are welcome at this table.
Can I nominate someone?
Yes. Nominations are open through August 3, 2026. Self-nominations are also accepted. Do not let her miss out because she was too humble to submit her own name.
Can I apply for a community stipend?
Yes. The Rooted & Rising Community Stipend is open to Central Florida moms in need. Ten stipends will be awarded and presented live at the luncheon. Applications close August 1, 2026. All applications are reviewed privately and handled with full dignity and confidentiality.
Is there a dress code?
Business casual to business professional. Come looking and feeling your best this is a celebration.
Is there parking available?
Yes. Free parking is available at the venue.
What is included with my ticket?
Your ticket includes a seated luncheon, access to all award presentations, the community stipend ceremony, and the vendor lobby, plus the opportunity to be in a room full of Central Florida's most dedicated nonprofit leaders and community professionals.
What sponsorship opportunities are available?
Sponsorship tiers range from $250 to $5,000. Program advertising starts at $25. All details and the full sponsorship benefits are available above. The deadline for print inclusion is August 8, 2026.
I have a question not listed here.
We would love to hear from you. Reach us at hello@bigsis.org or call 407-610-9474.
About the Hosts
BIG SIS, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting women through programming, resources and events that celebrate and support them.
The Infinity Hub Program is BIG SIS, Inc.'s coworking and community initiative connecting nonprofit organizations and purpose-driven professionals with the space, resources, and community they need to grow.
