Mission

Inspire students to follow their passion and support them in their dreams.

Our Story

The G Fund, Inc was created in memory and honor of our son. He was following his dreams of becoming a chef at the time of his passing.  This organization dedicated to helping students who have a desire to study culinary arts through annual scholarship opportunities.  It is our mission to help students achieve their dreams.

Giovanni Villanueva, who was a culinary student at Valencia College, died from SUDEP* at the start of his education and career.  Giovanni a gold medal diver for the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, a cellist for the Florida Young Artists Orchestra, and an Eagle Scout.  

*What is SUDEP?  Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) is said to occur when a person with epilepsy dies unexpectedly and was previously in their usual state of health.  Each year, more than 1 in 1,000 adults with epilepsy die from SUDEP. 

History

The G Fund, Inc was founded in 2017, one year after the passing of its namesake.  Students who want to study culinary management, culinary arts, and hospitality or restaurant have additional costs to their education on top of tuition and books.  They must purchase costly knives and other supplies. We all love to eat and we love what the finely trained cooks and chefs produce in our fair city of Orlando.

In May of 2018, three scholarships were awarded to the first recipients of The Giovanni Villanueva Memorial Scholarship. As we prepare for the fundraising events for 2018/2019 scholarships we are expanding the program to award a scholarship to a graduating Sr. from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL