Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation
Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation is a private foundation based in Orlando, Florida, and the charitable arm of Darden Restaurants, Inc. Darden says the foundation works to bring its spirit of service into the communities it serves by fighting hunger, investing in future generations, helping in times of need, and making a difference in its hometown.
Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation at a glance
In short: Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation gave $6.6M across 27 grants in 2025 (avg $246K), mostly in Illinois. 22% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $6,641,840
- +303.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 27
- +58.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $245,994
- +154.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $12,061,877
- +8.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (6 of 27, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (60% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation
- How to Apply
The foundation’s 2024 filing says proposals will be considered only if they include the organization’s name, address, and telephone number; contact person and title; background, history, and purpose; IRS exemption…
The foundation’s 2024 filing says proposals will be considered only if they include the organization’s name, address, and telephone number; contact person and title; background, history, and purpose; IRS exemption letter verifying 501(c)(3) status; latest audited financial report; current operating budget and income sources; directors’ and trustees’ names and professional affiliations; and a W-9. Applicants must also provide the proposed program’s purpose and objectives, needs addressed, action plan and timeline, total funding required and projected resources, amount requested, and method for determining success. The filing says the foundation generally does not fund organizations without 501(c)(3) status, event sponsorships, religious organizations for religious purposes, political candidates or lobbying organizations, disease-specific organizations’ chapters, conferences and other one-time events, athletic team sponsorships or scholarships, anti-business groups, capital campaigns, travel, individuals seeking scholarships, health-related requests, fundraising activities, goodwill advertising, fraternity or sorority donations, or organizations outside the United States and its territories or Canada.
- Contact
Application contact: Stephanie Ghertner
Mailing address: 1000 Darden Center Dr, Orlando, FL 32837
Phone: (407) 245-5115
Website: https://darden.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Feeding America ($4.0M). Together the top 10 received $6.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
139 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 101 grants of 139 (73%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website describes its community work as supporting places served by Darden and identifies Central Florida as its hometown focus. In 2025, grant dollars were distributed among recipients in Illinois (60%), Florida (12%), Georgia (11%), New York (8%), and Minnesota (5%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 27 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation open to new grantees?
22%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 6 of 27 grantees (22%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $4K; repeat grants $315K. How we count
Medians: $895 first-time, $13K repeat.
- 48% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 51% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.6M (2024) to $6.6M (2025). In 2025 it made 27 grants totaling $6.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Feeding America Chicago, IL | Grants - Healthy Communities | $4,000,000 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of America Atlanta, GA | Grants - Healthy Communities | $750,000 |
| American National Red Cross & Its Constituent Chapters and Branches New York, NY | Grants - Healthy Communities | $500,000 |
| Scholarship America Inc Saint Peter, MN | Grants - Education Gift Match | $328,000 |
| Heart of Florida United Way Orlando, FL | Grants - Healthy Communities | $250,000 |
| National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Washington, DC | Grants - Education Gift Match | $250,000 |
| United Arts of Central Florida Inc Orlando, FL | Grants - Healthy Communities | $250,000 |
| Seniors First Inc Orlando, FL | Grants - Healthy Communities | $110,000 |
| Second Harvest Food Bank Orlando, FL | Grants - Healthy Communities | $100,000 |
| The Monarch Learning Academy Inc Orlando, FL | Grants - Education Gift Match | $23,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $12,061,877 | $7,584,721 | $6,658,918 | $6,641,840 | 27 | $6,641,840 | $567,643 | $648,064 |
| 2024 | $11,136,074 | $8,502,382 | $1,648,579 | $1,646,549 | 17 | $1,646,549 | $500,344 | $472,538 |
| 2023 | $4,282,271 | $4,157,938 | $4,241,731 | $4,229,625 | 29 | $4,241,652 | $145,796 | $323,296 |
| 2022 | $4,366,064 | $3,005,657 | $4,884,214 | $4,384,214 | 28 | $4,884,214 | $5,658 | $373,268 |
| 2021 | $6,244,621 | $9,887,014 | $4,627,748 | $4,627,618 | 38 | — | $1,114 | $287,648 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation reported a distributable amount of $648K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated giving themes are fighting hunger, investing in future generations, helping in times of need, and making a difference in its hometown. Its 2025 grant purposes included “Healthy Communities” and “Education Gift Match.”
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of recipients. Feeding America says its mission is to advance change by ensuring equitable access to nutritious food. Boys & Girls Clubs of America describes its work as serving children and teens through local clubs, with safe spaces, mentors, meals, and programs supporting academic success and leadership. Heart of Florida United Way says it works to improve lives by mobilizing community support for health, education, and financial stability. United Arts of Central Florida says it strengthens arts, science, history, and culture through collaboration and investment. Seniors First says it works to enhance seniors’ quality of life by maintaining their independence and dignity.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 27 grants totaling $6,641,840. Grants ranged from $250 to $4,000,000, with a median grant of $10,000. The largest awards included $4,000,000 to Feeding America for Healthy Communities; $750,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of America for Healthy Communities; $500,000 to the American National Red Cross and its constituent chapters and branches for Healthy Communities; and $328,000 to Scholarship America for Education Gift Match. Other notable awards included $250,000 each to Heart of Florida United Way and United Arts of Central Florida for Healthy Communities, and $250,000 to the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation for Education Gift Match.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Mone Isaia as assistant secretary; Susan M. Connelly as president; Ricardo Cardenas as chairman and trustee; Matthew R. Broad, Mary Darden, Joe Lee, Angela M. Simmons, and John Martin as trustees; Noni A. Holmes-Kidd as secretary; and Stephanie L. Ghertner as executive director, assistant secretary, and trustee.
Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation is led by Stephanie L. Ghertner, Executive Director, Assistant Secretary & Trustee since 2025 (on filings since 2021); none of the 14 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Stephanie L. Ghertner
Executive Director, Assistant Secretary & Trustee
Assistant Secretary, Director & Trustee → Exe. Director, Assistant Secretary & Trustee, 2023
Exe. Director, Assistant Secretary & Trustee → Executive Director, Assistant Secretary & Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan M. Connelly
President
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ricardo Cardenas
Chairman & Trustee
Trustee → Chairman & Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Angela M. Simmons
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joe Lee
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Martin
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Darden
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew R. Broad
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rajesh Vennam
Trustee
Treasurer & Trustee → Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Theresa Willings
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mone Isaia
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Brophy
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Rush
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Noni A. Holmes-Kidd
Secretary
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Anthony G. Morrow (2021–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Eugene I. Lee Jr. (2021–2022) — Chairman
- Former: Isaiah Jewell (2021–2022) — Assistant Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation
How much does Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation give each year?
Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation gave $6.6M across 27 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.6M across 17 grants.
What is Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation's typical grant size?
Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $245,994, across 27 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation that year got $4K on average.
Where does Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation give grants?
Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 60% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Florida (12%) and Georgia (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Orlando, FL (8 grants) and Atlanta, GA (2 grants).
Does Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 27 grants with a stated purpose on Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Grants - Education Gift Match" (18 grants) and "Grants - Healthy Communities" (9 grants).
Who are Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation's largest grantees?
Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Feeding America ($4,000,000), Boys & Girls Clubs of America ($750,000) and American National Red Cross & Its Constituent Chapters and Branches ($500,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 79% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation?
Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation reported $12.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $6.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $648K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated giving themes are fighting hunger, investing in future generations, helping in times of need, and making a difference in its hometown. Its 2025 grant purposes included “Healthy Communities” and “Education Gift Match.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation?
The foundation’s 2024 filing says proposals will be considered only if they include the organization’s name, address, and telephone number; contact person and title; background, history, and purpose; IRS exemption… Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation's EIN?
Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 59-3332929. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/darden-restaurants-inc-foundation-morg_5c3313a835a1417bbc80f0cb3bb7e20e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_593332929_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/darden-restaurants-inc-foundation-morg_5c3313a835a1417bbc80f0cb3bb7e20e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Darden Restaurants Inc Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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