Barry Miller and GLBT Community Center launches 'The 49 Fund' to memorialize Pulse victims

ORLANDO-As a way to honor those who lost their lives in the Pulse tragedy, local attorney and entrepreneur Barry L. Miller, president of The Closing Agent, and the GLBT Community Center of Central Florida are collaborating to launch "The 49 Fund" at Central Florida Foundation, a fund designed to provide scholarships to LGBT students in Central Florida.

This unique fund will provide up to 10 scholarships in the amount of $4,900 annually for use towards tuition at qualifying and accredited educational institutions.

To apply for the scholarship, students must be self-identified as 'out' and a member of the LGBT community, attend an accredited two- or four-year institution of higher learning on a full-time basis, earn a 3.0 GPA or higher and demonstrate a commitment to improving the Central Florida community. Special consideration will be provided to survivors of the Pulse tragedy or to immediate family members of those whose lives were lost.

"The 49 Fund" at Central Florida Foundation will work closely with local LGBT organizations to identify potential applicants. To apply, prospective students must provide a written essay demonstrating a commitment to their community, transcripts including ACT/SAT scores, three recommendation letters, demonstration of financial need and a college or university acceptance letter. According to attorney Barry L. Miller, "The 49 Fund" at Central Florida Foundation will honor those whose lives were lost by providing a scholarship opportunity to LGBT students striving to make Central Florida a better place.

"As the one-year anniversary of this horrible tragedy approaches, it is the appropriate time to memorialize the lives lost by providing assistance through scholarships to deserving LGBT students who are committed to helping others right here in Central Florida," said Miller.

For more information and to donate, visit http://www.The49Fund.org. Checks should be made payable to Central Florida Foundation with "The 49 Fund" in the memo field and mailed to Central Florida Foundation, 800 N. Magnolia Avenue, Suite 1200, Orlando, FL 32803.