About Universal Orlando Foundation
Universal Orlando Foundation directs most of its giving to Central Florida organizations that serve children, families, and people with disabilities, with a strong emphasis on education, out-of-school-time programs, basic needs and inclusion. Grants are often tied to company fundraising campaigns (e.g., “UGive,” event proceeds, year‑end operating support) and the foundation frequently provides repeat, mid-sized awards to local nonprofits that deliver direct services and youth development. The foundation also supports health/therapeutic programs, arts access, and safety-net services like food banks, homeless services and domestic violence support. Its portfolio reads like place-based corporate philanthropy focused on community well‑being and youth opportunity in the Orlando area.
Focus Areas
After‑school and youth development programs in Orlando (City Year Orlando, Boys & Girls Clubs, After‑School All‑Stars)K–12 classroom supports and school system partnerships (A Gift for Teaching, Foundation for Orange County Public Schools)Food security and emergency basic‑needs response in Central Florida (Second Harvest Food Bank; food pantry grants)Services for people with disabilities and therapeutic supports (Special Olympics Florida, Lighthouse Central Florida, Canine Companions)LGBTQ+ community services and inclusion initiatives in Orlando (LGBT Center Orlando, Zebra Youth/Coalition)
About Universal Orlando Foundation
Universal Orlando Foundation Inc’s recent grantmaking is anchored in Central Florida youth opportunity and basic-needs support, with large awards flowing to organizations such as Second Harvest Food Bank and City Year Orlando. The foundation repeatedly backs programs that connect children, families, and people with disabilities to direct services, school supports, and community-based enrichment. In the recent grants list, one of the largest awards went to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida Inc for UGive, charity doughnut proceeds, and Bites, Camera, Action 2025; another large award supported City Year Orlando through a year-end operating grant and Memorial & Eccleston funding for 2024-25 and 2025-26. That pattern is reinforced by awards to local education and youth-serving groups, including A Gift for Teaching, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, and Orlando After-school All-stars. The foundation also funds disability inclusion, LGBTQ+ services, arts access, and safety-net work. Its grants are typically tied to named campaigns, operating support, or specific program purposes rather than broad institutional support alone.
What Universal Orlando Foundation Funds
Education is a clear thread in the portfolio. Universal Orlando Foundation Inc gave $152,500 to A Gift for Teaching Inc for UGive, 2024 backpacks, and Full STEAM Ahead: Powering Student Success, and $110,750 to Children’s Home Society for a children’s advocacy center and the Soaring Eagles literacy program. Youth development appears in after-school and summer programming as well: Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida received $101,500 for Mental Health Myth Busters and social-emotional learning programming, and Orlando After-school All-stars Inc received $100,000 for All Stars Chef Academy. The foundation also supports arts and therapeutic access, including $131,000 to Nemours Foundation for music therapy and Nemours Swim Academy, and $101,500 to Orlando Family Stage for Theatre for the Very Young community outreach productions. Food security and emergency response are another recurring area, with grants to Second Harvest Food Bank and Osceola Council on Aging for food support.
How Universal Orlando Foundation Gives
Typical awards sit in the mid-five-figure range: the p25 is $10,750, the median is $25,000, and the p75 is $50,000. The recent grants list also shows a substantial group of six-figure awards, so the foundation combines many smaller grants with a smaller number of larger operating and program grants. The pattern is repeat funding to the same local organizations across multiple years, including City Year Orlando, A Gift for Teaching, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, Second Harvest Food Bank, and Children’s Home Society. The foundation accepts unsolicited applications through its general grantmaking process and active issue-focused and partnership programs. It does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$2.8M
Total Assets
$2.9M
Total Revenue
$3.9M
Total Expenses
$3.7M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $11K and $50K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$11K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$50K
Geographic Reach
Local1 state funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
JOHN SPROULS
Accepts unsolicited proposals
Unlock Deep Analysis
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeSee Similar Funders
Free Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeExplore related grant guides
Want a Personalized Pitch for Universal Orlando Foundation?
Sign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Free plan available
No contracts
Cancel anytime