CEO Named as Recipient of the 2018 Chick-fil-A Foundation True Inspiration Award

TAMPA - The Chick-fil-A Foundation has recognized the College Entrepreneurs’ Organization (CEO), which is headquartered at The University of Tampa’s Lowth Entrepreneurship Center, as one of three top charities supporting youth entrepreneurship.

The recognition is part of the 2018 Chick-fil-A Foundation True Inspiration Awards. In addition to the recognition, CEO was presented with a $30,000 grant to help further efforts in youth entrepreneurship, which includes developing business knowledge, entrepreneurial skills and financial literacy.

In 2015 Chick-fil-A created the True Inspiration Award to honor and support on-the-ground community organizations. The organization provides grants to a multitude of organizations totaling more than $1 million annually. CEO is one of the 23 winners selected to receive a portion of these funds, and one in three in the youth entrepreneurship category. According to Chick-fil-A, the 23 winners went above and beyond expectations in the fields of innovative education, emerging leader development or youth entrepreneurship.

“Through the True Inspiration Awards, we hope to reach community organizations and help them extend their impact,” said Rodney Bullard, vice president of community affairs for Chick-fil-A Inc. and executive director of the Chick-fil-A Foundation. “The Chick-fil-A Foundation exists to help every child reach their full potential, and that’s exactly what these organizations are working to do.” 

Giles Hertz, executive director and president of CEO and UT associate professor of business law and entrepreneurship, said the award will help CEO advance the growth of its membership base internationally. “Our mission of supporting collegiate entrepreneurs to seek opportunity through enterprise creation is an important one, and we are thankful to Chick-fil-A in their efforts to help advance our mission.”

CEO was recognized along with Celebrate EDU and Straight Ahead Ministries in the youth entrepreneurship category, 

The Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization (CEO) is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit corporation whose mission is to “inform, support and inspire college students to be entrepreneurial and to seek opportunity through enterprise creation.” From its inception in 1984, the organization has grown to approximately 8,000 members, representing nearly 250 college- and university-based chapters.

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