Blockbuster and Special Events Fund (Orange County Grants)
Who can apply: Nonprofits in Orange County.
Deadline: Application Period: January 2023 - December 2030
Since 1989, United Arts has been on a mission to inspire and enrich communities by strengthening arts, science, history, and culture through strategic collaborations and investments.
United Arts of Central Florida Inc’s grantmaking is anchored by a large donor-designated distribution in 2025, followed by repeated support for Orlando-based cultural organizations across theater, ballet, music, museums, and science. The recent record shows a funder working through a mix of general support and programming support rather than a narrow one-off project approach. Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra appears multiple times across 2024 and 2025, and Orlando Ballet also receives repeat funding in the same period, which points to sustained backing for core operations and ongoing activity. The foundation’s portfolio also includes arts-adjacent institutions and community-facing cultural organizations such as Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Orlando Science Center, Orlando Museum of Art, Orlando Fringe, and Creative City Project. Grants to these groups suggest an emphasis on strengthening the region’s arts and culture ecosystem through organizations that produce performances, exhibits, and public programming. The grant list also includes institutions in Maitland, Winter Park, and Winter Garden, indicating support extends across Central Florida’s cultural corridor while remaining tied to a local footprint.
In performing arts, United Arts of Central Florida Inc supported Orlando Shakespeare Theater with $627,843 in 2023 and $373,030 in 2025, while Opera Orlando received $362,204 in 2024 and $306,195 in 2023. Orlando Family Stage, formerly Orlando Repertory Theater, also appears in the recent grants table with $368,735 in 2024. Their cultural and educational funding reaches beyond stage performance. Orlando Science Center received $528,186 in 2023, $520,335 in 2024, and $351,586 in 2025, showing repeated support for science programming. Orlando Museum of Art appears with $439,121 in 2023, $427,709 in 2024, and $269,133 in 2025. The foundation also backed Holocaust Memorial Resource Center with $288,000 in 2023 and $240,226 in 2024, linking arts and culture support with history-centered institutions.
Typical grant size clusters around a median of $37,082, with the lower quartile at $13,982 and the upper quartile at $154,378. The recent record includes both very large awards and many smaller general-support grants, including a donor-designated grant line in 2025. Several recipients appear in multiple years, which suggests recurring support rather than isolated awards. The foundation operates as a grantmaker with a local geographic scope and does not fund individuals. It also lists program-related investments as false. Multiple active programs accept unsolicited requests, including United Arts Grants, Community & Neighborhoods Initiatives, Individual Artist Award, Orange County Grants, City of Orlando Grants, and Cultural Tourism Grants.
Current and upcoming funding from United Arts of Central Florida that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Nonprofits in Orange County.
Deadline: Application Period: January 2023 - December 2030
$11M
$13.8M
$13.6M
$13.5M
Most grants fall between $14K and $154K, with a median of $37K.
25th Percentile
$14K
Median
$37K
75th Percentile
$154K
About 100% of grants go to recipients in FL.
JENNIFER EVINS
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Grantmaking is concentrated in Florida, with 100% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Orlando is the main recipient city, including Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Orlando Ballet, Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Orlando Science Center, and Orlando Museum of Art. The list also reaches Maitland, Winter Park, and Winter Garden through grantees such as Enzian Theater, Bach Festival Society of Winter Park, Holocaust Memorial Resource Center, and Garden Theatre. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, at 188 grants.
The foundation funds arts, arts education, cultural tourism, public art, creative placemaking, arts advocacy, artist grants, and research. Recent grants show support for performing arts, museums, science institutions, and history-focused organizations through general support and programming support.
Yes, several active programs accept unsolicited requests, including United Arts Grants, Community & Neighborhoods Initiatives, Individual Artist Award, Orange County Grants, City of Orlando Grants, and Cultural Tourism Grants.
The typical grant size is $13,982 at the 25th percentile, $37,082 at the median, and $154,378 at the 75th percentile. The recent record also includes awards far above that range, including a 2025 donor-designated grant line.
The recent grants show recurring support to the same organizations across multiple years. Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Orlando Ballet, Orlando Science Center, Orlando Museum of Art, and Orlando Shakespeare Theater each appear more than once in the 2023 to 2025 record.
Giving is local and entirely in Florida. Recipients are concentrated in Orlando, with additional grants to Maitland, Winter Park, and Winter Garden. The recipient country distribution is fully U.S.-based.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DONOR DESIGNATED GRANTS - VARIOUS RECIPIENTS | ORLANDO, FL | $6,155,011 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| ORLANDO PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA | ORLANDO, FL | $828,167 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| ORLANDO BALLET | ORLANDO, FL | $579,758 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| ORLANDO SHAKESPEARE THEATER | ORLANDO, FL | $373,030 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| ORLANDO SCIENCE CENTER | ORLANDO, FL | $351,586 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| ORLANDO MUSEUM OF ART | ORLANDO, FL | $269,133 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| OPERA ORLANDO | ORLANDO, FL | $226,118 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| ORLANDO FAMILY STAGE | ORLANDO, FL | $223,496 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| BACH FESTIVAL SOCIETY OF WINTER PARK | WINTER PARK, FL | $179,148 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| ENZIAN THEATER | MAITLAND, FL | $117,537 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| CENTRAL FLORIDA COMMUNITY ARTS | ORLANDO, FL | $115,097 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| ORLANDO FRINGE | ORLANDO, FL | $107,689 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| CREALDE SCHOOL OF ART | WINTER PARK, FL | $92,161 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| ORANGE COUNTY REGIONAL HISTORY CENTER | ORLANDO, FL | $91,387 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL RESOURCE CENTER | MAITLAND, FL | $87,577 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| CENTRAL FLORIDA BALLET | ORLANDO, FL | $78,886 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| ART & HISTORY MUSEUMS - MAITLAND | MAITLAND, FL | $70,997 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| FLORIDA SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA | WINTER PARK, FL | $61,231 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| CENTRAL FLORIDA VOCAL ARTS | WINTER PARK, FL | $56,819 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| CREATIVE CITY PROJECT | ORLANDO, FL | $56,251 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| GARDEN THEATRE | WINTER GARDEN, FL | $53,638 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| DOWNTOWN ARTS DISTRICTCITYARTS ORLANDO | ORLANDO, FL | $48,396 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| WINTER PARK PLAYHOUSE THE | WINTER PARK, FL | $43,280 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| FUSIONFEST | ORLANDO, FL | $40,367 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| MOUNT DORA CENTER FOR THE ARTS | MOUNT DORA, FL | $33,798 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| ALBIN POLASEK MUSEUM & SCULPTURE GARDENS | WINTER PARK, FL | $33,200 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| CARIBBEAN AMERICAN PASSPORT | ORLANDO, FL | $30,367 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| TIMUCUA ARTS FOUNDATION | ORLANDO, FL | $28,498 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| FLAMENCO DEL SOL | ORLANDO, FL | $24,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| ORLANDO COMMUNITY ARTS | ORLANDO, FL | $24,449 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| SNAP ORLANDO | ORLANDO, FL | $23,136 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| ORLANDO URBAN FILM FESTIVAL | EATONVILLE, FL | $22,778 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION | WINTER GARDEN, FL | $20,969 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| AFRICAN DIASPORIC ARTS AND EDUCATION INC | WINTER GARDEN, FL | $20,599 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| NEW GENERATION THEATRICAL INC | ORLANDO, FL | $20,009 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| PERFORMING ARTS MATTER | MAITLAND, FL | $17,097 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| ENCORE CAST PERFORMING ARTS | PARKWAY, FL | $17,009 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| GLOBAL PEACE FILM FESTIVAL | WINTER PARK, FL | $16,884 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| URBAN THINK FOUNDATION | ORLANDO, FL | $16,348 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| DESCOLONOZARTE TEATRO INC | ORLANDO, FL | $15,244 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| LITTLE RADICAL THEATRICS INC | ORLANDO, FL | $15,119 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| MENNELLO MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART (FRIENDS OF) | ORLANDO, FL | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| MAKER EFFECT FOUNDATION | WINDERMERE, FL | $14,990 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| EMOTIONS DANCE | MAITLAND, FL | $14,708 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| TEATRO FOR THE SOUL | WINTER PARK, FL | $14,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| HAITIAN AMERICAN ART NETWORK INC | ORLANDO, FL | $14,124 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| ARTREACH ORLANDO | WINTER PARK, FL | $14,036 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| ORLANDO GAY CHORUS | ORLANDO, FL | $13,926 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL | WINTER PARK, FL | $13,497 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
| BLUE BAMBOO CENTER FOR THE ARTS | WINTER PARK, FL | $13,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING |
DONOR DESIGNATED GRANTS - VARIOUS RECIPIENTS
$6,155,011GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
ORLANDO PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
$828,167GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
ORLANDO BALLET
$579,758GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
ORLANDO SHAKESPEARE THEATER
$373,030GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
ORLANDO SCIENCE CENTER
$351,586GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
ORLANDO MUSEUM OF ART
$269,133GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
OPERA ORLANDO
$226,118GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
ORLANDO FAMILY STAGE
$223,496GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
BACH FESTIVAL SOCIETY OF WINTER PARK
$179,148GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
ENZIAN THEATER
$117,537GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
CENTRAL FLORIDA COMMUNITY ARTS
$115,097GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
ORLANDO FRINGE
$107,689GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
CREALDE SCHOOL OF ART
$92,161GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
ORANGE COUNTY REGIONAL HISTORY CENTER
$91,387GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL RESOURCE CENTER
$87,577GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
CENTRAL FLORIDA BALLET
$78,886GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
ART & HISTORY MUSEUMS - MAITLAND
$70,997GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
FLORIDA SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA
$61,231GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
CENTRAL FLORIDA VOCAL ARTS
$56,819GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
CREATIVE CITY PROJECT
$56,251GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
GARDEN THEATRE
$53,638GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
DOWNTOWN ARTS DISTRICTCITYARTS ORLANDO
$48,396GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
WINTER PARK PLAYHOUSE THE
$43,280GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
FUSIONFEST
$40,367GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
MOUNT DORA CENTER FOR THE ARTS
$33,798GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
ALBIN POLASEK MUSEUM & SCULPTURE GARDENS
$33,200GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
CARIBBEAN AMERICAN PASSPORT
$30,367GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
TIMUCUA ARTS FOUNDATION
$28,498GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
FLAMENCO DEL SOL
$24,500GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
ORLANDO COMMUNITY ARTS
$24,449GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
SNAP ORLANDO
$23,136GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
ORLANDO URBAN FILM FESTIVAL
$22,778GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
WINTER GARDEN HERITAGE FOUNDATION
$20,969GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
AFRICAN DIASPORIC ARTS AND EDUCATION INC
$20,599GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
NEW GENERATION THEATRICAL INC
$20,009GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
PERFORMING ARTS MATTER
$17,097GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
ENCORE CAST PERFORMING ARTS
$17,009GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
GLOBAL PEACE FILM FESTIVAL
$16,884GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
URBAN THINK FOUNDATION
$16,348GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
DESCOLONOZARTE TEATRO INC
$15,244GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
LITTLE RADICAL THEATRICS INC
$15,119GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
MENNELLO MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART (FRIENDS OF)
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
MAKER EFFECT FOUNDATION
$14,990GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
EMOTIONS DANCE
$14,708GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
TEATRO FOR THE SOUL
$14,500GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
HAITIAN AMERICAN ART NETWORK INC
$14,124GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
ARTREACH ORLANDO
$14,036GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
ORLANDO GAY CHORUS
$13,926GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
$13,497GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING
BLUE BAMBOO CENTER FOR THE ARTS
$13,000GENERAL SUPPORT/PROGRAMMING