ABOUT US...

The Abilities Foundation a 501(c)(3) nonprofit support organization that raises, invests, and distributes funds to the benefit of Abilities, Inc. of Florida d.b.a. the ServiceSource Florida Regional Office, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has provided exceptional employment and housing services to persons with disabilities for 54 years.

 

A 28% unemployment rate among people with disabilities and a waiting list for affordable housing in the Tampa Bay area are among the issues that drive the Foundation to seek public support. 

 

Established in 1983 and governed by an all-volunteer board of trustees, the Foundation generates revenue from individuals, corporations, and foundations through special events, annual appeals, grant writing, and planned giving.

 

The Foundation’s vision is to ensure that people with disabilities have the opportunity to participate with dignity in everything that community life has to offer. Its mission is to support the needs of Floridians and military veterans with disabilities through gainful employment, affordable housing, independent living, recreational/cultural resources, advocacy, health, and accessible marketplaces.

 

The Foundation has helped thousands of Floridians experience the dignity of a productive existence. Your investment in the Foundation enriches the lives and families of people with disabilities by placing employment, independent living, and affordable, accessible housing within their reach.

 

ABILITIES FOUNDATION
BOARD OF TRUSTEES

OFFICERS 

Chairman           
Richard B. Winning

 

Vice Chairman           
John B. Byrne, III

Secretary
Gloria Hollingsworth 

Treasurer
Howard Sachs

Assistant Secretary/
Assistant Treasurer
Frank De Lucia

Ted A. Corless
Frank E. Essex
Johnny Green

Andrew Lourake
Leslie A. Rubin
Barbara Sealund
Joseph J. Sorota, Jr.

President and CEO
Frank De Lucia

For information contact:
Frank De Lucia
President and CEO
Abilities Foundation
2735 Whitney Road
Clearwater, FL 33760-1610
Telephone: 727-600-8900
E-mail: fdelucia@abilities.org

Biography of Frank De Lucia

Frank De Lucia is the president and CEO of the Abilities Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has helped thousands of Floridians with disabilities obtain mainstream jobs and affordable housing. Prior to being named president, he served as vice president of development, marketing, and communications for Abilities of Florida, and executive director and executive vice president of the Foundation.

He is responsible for fundraising, grant writing, special events, annual appeals, capital campaigns, media relations, and planned giving.

De Lucia is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Florida Public Relations Association, the Pinellas County Estate Planning Council, the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning of Tampa Bay, the Finance Committee of the St. Petersburg Housing Authority's Wounded Warrior Community Advisory Group, and the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association.

He served for six years in the U.S. Army Reserves, completing basic training at Ft. Polk (LA), and advanced individual training as a psychometrist at Ft. Sam Houston (TX), and worked as a physical therapist assistant in the Army's 340th General Hospital in New Haven (CT). De Lucia participated in physical therapy training at Ft. Lee (VA), Ft. Dix (NJ), Ft. Gordon (GA), Ft. Belvoir (VA), and Walter Reed Army Medical Center (DC), and completed his last year of service working as a EKG technician at the James A. Haley VA Hospital in Tampa (FL).

He has held certifications as a special education teacher grades K-12, vocational rehabilitation counselor, and rehabilitation insurance specialist, and has served on the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle School Foundation Board, Very Special Arts Council, and the St. Mary Our Lady of Grace Church Festival planning board. De Lucia was employed as a job placement specialist for the Florida State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation for four years prior to joining Abilities. He served a Eucharistic Minister for 25 years at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg, and has been a licensed Realtor-Associate in Florida for the past 35 years.

De Lucia was named to the Tampa Bay Illustrated Perfect 10 list, which showcases the area’s most charitable and fashionable men. The Jewish National Fund honored De Lucia with the national Lawrence Wasser Humanitarian Award, 'emblematic of a nonprofit professional who exhibits superior traits and attributes of leadership excellence.' In 2008 the Foundation was selected as a top-five finalist in the prestigious WEDU Be More Awards for ‘Nonprofit of the Year.’ In 2008, 2009, and 2010, the Foundation's Abilities Wine Tasting was selected among more than 100 applicants as a top-five finalist for WEDU's 'Special Event of the Year.' 

De Lucia has a master’s degree in special education and a bachelor’s degree in social welfare from the University of Southern Connecticut, and has 26 years of fundraising experience. In December 2012, he celebrated his 30th year of service to Abilities and the Foundation.

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR THE ABILITIES FOUNDATION (SC-00117) MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352, WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. THE FOUNDATION RECEIVES 100% OF EACH CONTRIBUTION, AND DOES NOT USE PROFESSIONAL SOLICITORS. THE FOUNDATION FEDERAL TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER IS 59-2293228.