The Walt Disney Company Foundation
The Walt Disney Company Foundation is a private foundation based in Burbank, California. Its grantmaking includes support through a scholarship and internship program for high-achieving college juniors interested in off-camera entertainment careers.
The Walt Disney Company Foundation at a glance
- Total assets
- $171,212
- -47.1% vs 2024
- Qualifying distributions (2025)
- $1,025
- -99.7% vs 2024
- Expenses (2025)
- $141,695
- -61.5% vs 2024
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Walt Disney Company Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it contributes only to preselected charitable organizations. The listed scholars program is an exception in the form of a student scholarship and internship opportunity; no application process or materials are specified here.
- Contact
Mailing address: 500 South Buena Vista Street, Burbank, CA 91521-6441
Phone: (818) 655-4858
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Walt Disney Company Foundation
Who The Walt Disney Company Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
531 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 528 grants of 531 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
How The Walt Disney Company Foundation gives
- Giving fell 88% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 8% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $358K (2024) to $3.1M (2021). In 2024 it made 72 grants totaling $358K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 50 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $250,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $171,212 | — | $141,695 | — | — | $1,025 | $13,053 |
| 2024 | $323,567 | — | $368,360 | $357,500 | 72 | $368,360 | $15,944 |
| 2023 | $681,267 | $2,302,008 | $2,324,014 | $2,258,560 | 456 | $2,362,810 | $54,935 |
| 2022 | $712,777 | $2,796,984 | $2,610,735 | $2,530,000 | 1 | $2,627,402 | $16,408 |
| 2021 | $517,024 | $4,782,553 | $3,081,315 | $3,085,303 | 2 | — | $24,240 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Walt Disney Company Foundation reported a distributable amount of $13K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported $357,500 in grants across 72 grants. In 2023, it reported $2,258,560 across 456 grants. The 2025 filing reports no grants.
The currently listed Walt Disney Company UNCF Enhanced Scholars Program offers scholarships of up to $5,000, mentorship, and summer internships during the 2025–2026 academic year. It is for high-achieving college juniors interested in off-camera entertainment careers. The program is described as providing scholarships and internships to students, rather than as a grant opportunity for outside organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Kristina Schake and Sonia Coleman as trustees; Brent Woodford as trustee and senior vice president; Lisa Haines as vice president; Carlos Gomez as treasurer; and Chakira Gavazzi as secretary.
The Walt Disney Company Foundation's 2025 filing lists 6 officers; none of the 6 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Brent Woodford
Trustee & Senior Vice President
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Kristina Schake
Trustee
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Sonia Coleman
Trustee
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Chakira Gavazzi
Secretary
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Carlos Gomez
Treasurer
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Lisa Haines
Vice President
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Christian D'souza (2022–2024) — Vice President
- Former: Bob Iger (2021–2023) — Executive Chairman
- Former: Christine McCarthy (2021–2023) — Trustee & Treasurer
- Former: Bob Chapek (2021–2022) — Trustee & President
- Former: Elissa Margolis (2021) — Senior Vice President
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 The Walt Disney Company Foundation
How large is The Walt Disney Company Foundation?
The Walt Disney Company Foundation reported $171K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $13K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
How do I apply for a grant from The Walt Disney Company Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it contributes only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Walt Disney Company Foundation's EIN?
The Walt Disney Company Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-6037079. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does The Walt Disney Company Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Walt Disney Company Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Figures come from The Walt Disney Company 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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