At Fourth Annual Celebration of Giving, Universal Orlando Foundation Donates $1.5 Million Toward Community Causes
Community Relations, Articles

Universal Orlando Foundation has once again exceeded its previous record, announcing more than $3.2 million in donations to Central Florida nonprofits so far in 2025, including $1,555,000 in new grants awarded today during its fourth annual Celebration of Giving event at Universal Orlando Resort.

This year’s Celebration of Giving brought together nonprofit partners and Universal Orlando team members to recognize organizations meeting critical community needs and to highlight the growing role of volunteerism.

At this year’s event, the Foundation awarded three $50,000 grants and seven $100,000 grants. The $50,000 grants went to the Educational Foundation of Lake County, which is expanding classroom resources; the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, which is growing youth music education programs; and Chance 2 Dance, which is launching an adaptive app that helps nonverbal students express emotions.

The Foundation’s $100,000 program-focused grants were awarded to:

  • United Arts of Central Florida aims to bring artist residencies to Title I schools, expand arts programs and provide teacher training.   
  • Lighthouse Central Florida will launch a dedicated Low Vision Clinic serving children, youth and adults who are blind or visually impaired, using a multidisciplinary approach to enhance rehabilitation, foster independence and promote long-term economic mobility for nearly 200,000 people facing vision loss.   
  • Christian Service Center for the Homeless plans to expand its warming kitchen so it can offer flexible meal service throughout the day, removing barriers for guests and improving access to nutritious food and support services.   
  • Hope Partnership is expanding Hope Cares Day, a trauma-informed outreach event providing food, healthcare, hygiene resources and pathways to housing, into St. Cloud, Intercession City and West 192.   
  • The Sharing Center plans to purchase a 26-foot box truck with a liftgate, increasing capacity to collect and deliver donated goods for its retail social enterprise, which funds programs providing food, clothing, financial assistance and supportive services in Seminole County.   
  • Orlando Science Center will launch the EAGLE program in Osceola County with STEM kits and training for teachers, workshops for middle school students and a Celebrate Science Night for families   
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida is supporting after-school and summer programming in Tangelo Park, building on a 2025 pilot to strengthen academic success, leadership and mentorship. 

The Foundation also announced a grant to continue funding for Bites, Camera, Action!, its long-standing mobile food pantry partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. Looking ahead, the Foundation will launch a new initiative with Valencia College in 2026, in collaboration with the Institute for the Future, to forecast workforce trends and identify the critical skills needed for local graduates. 

To learn more about the Foundation, visit universalorlandofoundation.org.