Our Story
Furidian Friends was inspired by Furidian, a rescued bully breed who overcame a difficult beginning to live an extraordinary life.
His story became the foundation of a simple belief:
Where you start does not determine where you finish.
That belief guides everything we do.
Too many people face barriers to education, technology, mentorship, and economic opportunity based solely on circumstance. At the same time, too many families facing crisis are forced to make heartbreaking decisions about the pets they love because they lack access to support and resources.
Furidian Friends was created to help change both outcomes.
Through our Education & Opportunity programs, we provide pathways to technology, entrepreneurship, workforce development, mentorship, and practical life skills.
Through our Pet Companion Crisis Network, we support organizations working to keep pets safe and families together during times of hardship, disaster, displacement, and crisis.
While our programs serve different needs, they share the same purpose: creating opportunity, strengthening communities, and helping individuals and families build a better future.
Today, Furidian Friends is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, serving communities through education, rescue, and community-focused initiatives.
Because everyone deserves the opportunity to move forward, regardless of where their journey begins.
Leadership & Board of Directors
Furidian Friends is a family-founded nonprofit organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Our leadership team combines expertise in technology, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, entrepreneurship, business analytics, sales, community leadership, and nonprofit development.
The organization was built on a shared family belief that where you start does not determine where you finish. Each board member brings unique professional experience and perspectives that directly support the organization's mission of expanding educational opportunity, strengthening communities, and supporting pets and families facing crisis.
The founding board is committed to responsible governance and long-term organizational independence. As programs grow and community partnerships develop, Furidian Friends will expand its board composition to include independent community members with legal, financial, and sector-specific expertise, consistent with best practices for public charities.
Brigitte Sollie
Founding Director & Board President
Technology executive, AI strategist, and nonprofit founder with more than 20 years of experience spanning cloud computing, cybersecurity, digital transformation, and executive leadership, including leadership roles at AWS and IBM.
Blake Sollie
Vice President
Entrepreneur and founder of King Street Cowboys, an AI-powered creative studio serving creators, influencers, and small businesses. Brings expertise in branding, marketing, e-commerce, and business development.
Luke Sollie
Vice President
Generative AI speaker, entrepreneur, and CEO of Furidian Lifestyle. Specializes in AI adoption, entrepreneurship, digital commerce, and business development.
Avalon Sollie
Vice President
Cloud and Generative AI professional at an AWS Premier Tier Services Partner. Experienced in AWS funding programs, cloud adoption, AI implementation, and technology operations.
Helena Sollie
Vice President
Business Analytics student at the University of North Florida with a focus on data-driven decision making, technology, leadership, and community engagement.
Together, the board provides strategic oversight, governance, fundraising support, program guidance, and long-term planning to help Furidian Friends fulfill its mission of expanding opportunity, supporting companion animals, and strengthening communities.
Financial Transparency
Furidian Friends is committed to responsible stewardship, transparency, and accountability.
As a public charity, we believe donors, partners, and community members deserve clear information about how resources are used to support our mission.
We maintain financial records, governance documents, and organizational policies consistent with federal and state nonprofit requirements.
Key Information:
• Organization Name: Furidian Friends Corporation
• EIN: 42-2327213
• IRS Status: 501(c)(3) Public Charity
• Public Charity Classification: 509(a)(2)
• State of Incorporation: Florida
• Incorporated: July 25, 2025
• IRS Exemption Effective Date: July 29, 2025
IRS 501(c)(3) Status
Furidian Friends Corporation has been recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Contributions made to Furidian Friends are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Copies of our IRS determination letter and governing documents are available upon request.
We are committed to ensuring that donations are used to advance our mission of education, opportunity, community support, and companion animal crisis assistance.
Questions regarding our finances, governance, or charitable status may be directed to:
Impact & Goals
At Furidian Friends, we believe meaningful impact should be measurable.
Every program, partnership, donation, and volunteer effort is focused on creating real outcomes for the individuals, families, and communities we serve.
As a newly established nonprofit, 2026 represents our first full year of program delivery. The goals below reflect the impact we are working to achieve through our Education & Opportunity programs and our Pet Companion Crisis Network.
Education & Opportunity
Our education initiatives help participants gain practical skills, access technology, explore entrepreneurship, and create pathways to economic opportunity.
2026 Goals
100+ workshop participants
20+ laptops and technology resources provided
10+ educational workshops delivered
3+ community partnerships established
85% participant satisfaction target
What Success Looks Like
Success means participants leave our programs with more than information.
They leave with skills, confidence, resources, mentorship, and a clear path forward.
Whether someone launches a business, publishes a book, develops new technology skills, creates a personal brand, or discovers a new career path, our goal is to help turn ideas into opportunities.
Pet Companion Crisis Network
Our Pet Companion Crisis Network helps strengthen the organizations supporting pets and families through crisis, hardship, disaster, and displacement.
2026 Goals
150+ families assisted
300+ pets supported
5,000+ pounds of pet food distributed
3+ veterinary and community partnerships established
80% of families report improved stability
What Success Looks Like
Success means families have options before surrendering a beloved pet.
It means organizations have additional resources when communities face hardship.
It means pets remain safe, families remain together, and local partners have stronger support networks when they need them most.
Looking Ahead
Furidian Friends was founded on the belief that where you start does not determine where you finish.
As we grow, our goal is to expand educational opportunities, increase technology access, strengthen community partnerships, and build a larger safety net for pets and families facing crisis.
Every donation, volunteer, partner, and supporter helps move us closer to that vision.
Together, we are creating opportunity, strengthening communities, and building a future where more people and pets have the support they need to thrive.